HealthKidsParenting

Brushing 101: Tricks To Making Teeth Care Fun For Your Kids

Most kids find brushing their teeth annoying and they often forget to do it themselves unless you warn them. A healthy smile is important, but the hard thing to do is to show your kids that brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist are a necessity which can be fun. Luckily, this list of tricks will make this easier for you and soon your kids will think of their oral hygiene as a fun activity.

Brushing 101: Tricks To Making Teeth Care Fun For Your Kids

1. Create a reward system

A reward system is a creative way of getting your kids to brush their teeth without tantrums. One option is to create a system of delayed rewards, meaning your child gets a sticker or a gold star if they brush their teeth on time and properly. Once they get a specific number of stickers/stars, you can reward them with a toy or a piece of clothing. Another option is to give them instant rewards, like allowing them to watch TV a bit longer or read an extra story before going to bed.

2. Make it mutual activity

Kids love mimicking their parents, so if you brush and floss together, they will enjoy repeating your moves. That’s how you’ll get the opportunity to teach them the appropriate technique of brushing their teeth and then help them floss. To make it even more fun, you can sing a song while brushing.

3. Keep track of time creatively

As it’s highly recommended to spend two minutes brushing your teeth, you need to make sure your kid really does the brushing that long. Buy a brightly colored sand timer (or let your kid choose it) and let your kid flip it over before they start brushing. It will be fun for them to watch the sand sipping and they will know when they’re done.

4. Read fun books about teeth

Reading books that are tooth-friendly will to your kids will make them feel positive about taking care of their oral hygiene. There are various fun books that include dental games and materials that teach kids about the importance of healthy teeth. Check your local bookshop for some interesting books on this subject.

Brushing 101: Tricks To Making Teeth Care Fun For Your Kids

5. Special toothpaste

It’s possible to have fun toothpaste. Minty toothpaste is not what a kid will be excited about in the evening, but if you get them a strawberry or watermelon flavored toothpaste, they’ll look forward to brushing their teeth almost as if you were about to give them a candy before going to bed!

6. Special brush

Why stop at fun toothpaste? A toothbrush is something that is intended only for one person to use, so it’s no wonder kids take choosing their toothbrush very seriously – but it doesn’t mean their toothbrush shouldn’t be amazing and fun! When the time comes for your child to replace the old toothbrush with a new one, offer them some fun choices between unique and colorful brushes like Starlite with soft bristles – kids enjoy sparkles and quirky-looking brushes, so let them choose their favorite one.

7. Have an after-dentist surprise

It’s necessary for your kid to have their teeth checked every 6 months. You can prevent your kid from having negative associations to visiting a dentist if you prepare a surprise for them each time they go to the dentist. After the check-up is over, have some fun family time. You can go to an amusement park, pay a visit to the zoo or enjoy a picnic.

8. Have a dance party

If you really want to spice up those 2 minutes of tooth-brushing, then bring an mp3 player to the bathroom and have a dance party just for the two of you (or even for the whole family). Choose an upbeat song and have a dance-off. If you’re both creative, you can even come up with a toothbrush dance. Just don’t forget to actually brush your teeth while dancing!

Brushing 101: Tricks To Making Teeth Care Fun For Your Kids

All in all

So, it’s definitely possible to make brushing the teeth a fun process for your kid. You may even come up with your own ideas, depending on what your child is like. The only important thing is to stress out to your kid that it’s equally fun for you as it is for them.

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Jess Benoit

Jess is a homeschooling mama of 3, wife, gamer, Whovian, Nerd

6 thoughts on “Brushing 101: Tricks To Making Teeth Care Fun For Your Kids

  • So many creative thought you have shared, which actually is so worth trying for kids to enjoy brushing. These small steps go a long way and become a habit of a lifetime. It surely will be a great start towards their oral hygiene care.

    Reply
  • Thanks for your tips about how kids should have some fun toothpaste because they will be encouraged to burhs more and will like it better. My wife and I are coming to a point where we want our kids to stay brushing their teeth themselves so that we don’t have to do it. Making sure that our kids go see a professional when they get them cleaned would be really useful for us.

    Reply
  • Thanks for your tip about getting a watermelon-flavored toothpaste that can teeth brushing fun for my kids. I’ve always had a hard time convincing them that they need to and they often go to bed without doing it. Maybe I should bring them to an expert in dentistry and have their mouths checked for any cavity build-up.

    Reply
  • Plaque is a clear layer of bacteria that can harden and become tartar. You cannot remove tartar with brushing, which is why it’s crucial to see your dentist to prevent issues like this. There should also be an examination of the soft tissue to look for swelling, redness, and any signs of cancer.

    Reply
  • One aspect that particularly resonated with me is the emphasis on preventive care. Regular dental check-ups not only help identify and address potential issues early on but also contribute to a positive and proactive approach to oral health.

    Reply

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