Brushing a child’s teeth doesn’t need to be a long and stressful process. With the right approach, any parent can transform a daily teeth-brushing routine into an enjoyable experience for his or her child.
There are many things you can incorporate into your routine to help your child achieve and maintain a super smile. Let’s take a look at eight tips to help you make teeth brushing fun for your child.
Start Early
Incorporate brushing your child’s teeth into his or her morning and evening routines and start their oral hygiene routine at a young age. During infancy, wipe down your child’s gums with a soft, damp cloth. Meanwhile, once your child’s teeth start to develop – something that usually begins between the ages of 6 months and 1 year – you can gently brush his or her teeth in the morning and before bedtime with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Once your child’s teeth start touching, you can show your son or daughter how to properly floss, too.
Brush Your Teeth with Your Kids
Setting a positive example for your son or daughter can make a world of difference, especially when it comes to your child’s oral hygiene. If you brush your teeth at the same time as your child, you can instill good oral health habits in your son or daughter. Also, don’t be afraid to think outside the box when you brush your teeth with your child. For example, dentist Dr. Vidya Varathan notes that letting your child hold your toothbrush while you brush his or her teeth with another can be valuable. This will allow your child to see exactly how brushing the teeth can be used to eliminate plaque. Of course, when you are done brushing your teeth with your child, don’t forget to smile. “If you’re smiling and relaxed – your toddler will imitate you in no time,” Varathan says.
Use The Super Dentists’ Musical Toothbrushes
Songs often provide great learning tools that both parents and kids can appreciate. If you incorporate songs into your child’s oral health routine, you could help him or her learn how to brush and floss correctly. For instance, thanks to The Super Dentists’ Musical Toothbrushes your child can sing, dance and brush his or her teeth to achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. Studies show children brush their teeth 73% longer with musical toothbrushes. The Brush song lasts two minutes, exactly the amount of time your child should be brushing.
Pick Up Children’s Oral Hygiene Essentials
Aurora Satler, the author of “The Ultimate New Mom’s Cookbook,” notes there are several must-have oral hygiene products that parents should pick up for their kids. These products include:
- Toothbrush: Toothbrushes come in multiple sizes, styles and colors, and you can let your child select a fun toothbrush that matches his or her personality, as long as it has soft bristles, which are best.
- Stool: A stool enables your child to stand comfortably at the bathroom sink while brushing his or her teeth.
- Cup: Allow your child to choose a one-of-a-kind cup he or she can use while brushing his or her teeth.
Talk to your child’s pediatric dentist so they can recommend oral hygiene products that are just right for your child’s individual needs.
Use Games
Dentists often recommend brushing the teeth at least twice a day, for two minutes at a time, according to the American Dental Association. If you use games as part of your child’s oral health routine, you could help your son or daughter build a successful oral health routine and achieve an amazing smile. The Super Dentists musical toothbrushes also provide augmented reality experiences right in the convenience of your own home to educate your child about the right brushing techniques in a unique, out-of-this-world way.
Tell a Story
If you want to get your son or daughter to brush his or her teeth, build a story around this activity. In fact, you can create your own books and characters to inspire your child to improve his or her oral hygiene. “I suggest that parents and caregivers use entertaining books and fun characters to make brushing fun for kids,” says family and parenting blogger Tangela Walker-Craft. “I created cartoon characters for my daughter when I wanted her to learn and practice good hygiene habits.”
Offer Incentives
Caleb Backe, a health and wellness expert at organic and natural beauty product company Maple Holistics, says incentives may be exceedingly valuable to teach children about good oral hygiene. For example, you can offer rewards like a trip to a zoo or playground if your child brushes and flosses his or her teeth properly. With an incentive-based approach to oral hygiene, your child may eventually start looking forward to brushing and flossing his or her teeth day after day. “By associating brushing with this special reward, your child will begin to build positive mental energy towards brushing, and they can begin to learn to think of it as fun,” Backe says.
Choose the Right Pediatric Dental Practice for Your Child
Not all pediatric dental practices are created equal. Fortunately, if you spend some time reviewing your options, you are sure to find a pediatric dental practice that helps both you and your child feel comfortable.
The Super Dentists is proud to serve as a leading San Diego pediatric dental practice. Some of the reasons we stand out from other San Diego pediatric dental practices include:
- Legendary Reputation: We have built our sterling reputation based on our commitment to deliver out-of-this-world, kids-centered dental care to all children.
- World-Class Dental Technology: We use the latest dental technologies to deliver comfortable, safe and effective patient treatments.
- Convenient Locations: We have convenient office locations in Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, Eastlake, Kearny Mesa, Escondido, and Oceanside.
- Extended Hours: We are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and we are also open most Saturdays , too.
- Insurance Options: We work with all types of insurance and help patients review their dental insurance coverage. And if a dental treatment is not covered by insurance, we provide flexible financing options.
Put your son or daughter on the path to a super smile – contact The Super Dentists today at 1 (855) GO SUPER to schedule a consultation with one of our pediatric dentists.
