Encouraging children to brush their teeth regularly may not be as easy as it sounds. Many parents experience unique challenges when it comes to bedtime routines, and brushing may become a battleground. Developing good dental habits early in life can last a lifetime. If you have ever found yourself asking how to make brushing another enjoyable part of your child’s daily routine, you are certainly not alone.
Many families looking to start building healthy routines for oral care can greatly benefit from pediatric dentistry in Vaughan, where practitioners understand how to make oral care child-friendly and enjoyable.
So, in what ways can parents encourage their kids’ oral hygiene at home? Here are 6 tips for making brushing fun for kids that you can start today.
1. How Can Music Make Brushing Fun?
Children love music. Music can be excellent in changing the routine of brushing into a competition or game for your little one. Make a playlist of their favorite songs or use brushing apps that have fun, two-minute songs. Music can be beneficial for timing while providing some fun in the routine!
2. Can Games Motivate Children to Brush?
Gamifying tooth brushing is probably the easiest to try. For instance:
- Sticker Chart—Your child gets a sticker every time they brush.
- Reward System—After a week of consistent brushing, allow them to pick a small prize.
- Superhero Mode—Pretend the toothbrush is a superhero fighting “sugar bugs” in their mouth.
Gamifying encourages play and helps them look forward to brushing.
3. How Does Choosing Their Toothbrush Help?
Children feel the need to do something to feel truly included. So allow them to choose their toothbrush: for instance, they may want one in their favorite color or with a certain cartoon character on it. A lot of kids’ toothbrushes also come with a built-in light or timer, which adds an interactive element as well. Active brushes that capture attention mean your kids are more likely to use them.
4. Why Should You Brush Together?
Kids love to imitate their parents. When you brush your teeth at the same time as your child, you demonstrate that brushing your teeth is just a normal part of life. Make it fun. Brush together while looking in the mirror, show off your “sparkly smiles” after brushing, or have silly contests to see who can make the most bubbles with toothpaste. Brushing together shows you are a role model and makes it more enjoyable for your child.
5. What Is the Correct Way to Brush Teeth?
Teaching children the correct way to brush their teeth is just as important as getting them to brush their teeth. Indicate to them how to position and hold the brush at an inclined angle and gently move it in circular motions, brushing all surfaces: front, back, and chewing. You can even better model tooth brushing so they can see exactly what you are doing. There is a timer that can help make sure they are brushing for a full two minutes, which is a critical amount of time to allow for a full mouth cleaning.
6. Can Stories Make Brushing More Exciting?
Every kid loves a good story, and tooth brushing can be a part of an adventure. Share stories about a brave toothbrush fighting off sugar monsters or talking about magical toothpaste that gives kids “superhero smiles.” Stories help make brushing fun and are a fantastic way to hold their interest just long enough to get them through the task.
Keep Smiles Bright with Vellore Woods Dentistry
At Vellore Woods Dentistry, we believe making dental care fun for children is essential. Whether you have questions about your child’s daily oral hygiene routine or are a parent looking for a dentist in Vaughan that you can trust, we can help your family!
Brushing doesn’t have to be a battle. Let us help make it fun! Make an appointment right now to provide your child with the gift of healthy, happy, and long-lasting smiles!