If you are a parent, you know how difficult it can sometimes be to get your child to brush and floss their teeth. Kids view oral hygiene as a chore, which can be an issue because it can negatively affect their long-term oral health. Getting your child to form healthy habits when they brush and floss may seem like an impossible task. You know it’s essential to instill good oral hygiene habits into your child, but how do you do that?
Six Ways to Make Brushing and Flossing Fun
Even though your child may view brushing and flossing as a negative experience at times, there are a few ways to help them form good lifelong habits. Consider the following suggestions:
1. Brush and floss together – If your child sees you exhibiting healthy habits, they are more likely to emulate you. If you brush and floss with your child, they will see it as a fun learning activity instead of a chore.
2. Choose a fun toothbrush – When your child needs a new toothbrush, make it fun by letting them choose the one they want. With so many different characters and colors, they are sure to find one they like.
3. Choose a fun toothpaste – Just like choosing a toothbrush, letting your child pick a flavored toothpaste will likely make brushing feel like less of a chore and more of a fun activity.
4. Reward your child – You can use stickers or other rewards to help motivate your child to form good oral hygiene habits. Consider using a wall calendar or a chart to track the days your child brushes and flosses twice, and then set up an appropriate reward system for them.
5. Set a timer – Since children need to brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day, setting a timer can remind them when they should start and stop brushing. You can play music during brushing time to help your child see it as fun.
6. Take your child on an outing – Since kids don’t typically like to go to the dentist, you can reward them after a dental visit by taking them to the park or out for a meal. Helping your child associate something fun with going to the dentist will make them less likely to dread going to the dentist the next time.
Are You Looking for a Children’s Dentist in Fayetteville, AR?
If you want to learn more about Northwest Arkansas Family Dental, we would love to hear from you! Please call our dental office at (479) 521-2002 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.