Some little kids hate brushing their teeth. They think it is uncomfortable and a waste of their precious playtime. If you have a kid that feels this way then you might want to give some of these suggestions a try.
1. Start Early
Hate that daily battle? Here’s how and when to brush your toddler’s teeth
The perfect time to have your child learn about brushing teeth is as soon as those baby teeth start coming in. Be gentle and careful, and introduce them to a soft toothbrush that they can munch on. About the age of two is when you’ll want to help them brush their own teeth. It might be a little messy, but that is a small price to pay for good oral health.
2. Make It A Game
Brushing teeth doesn’t have to be a tedious process. Try making a game out of keeping your child’s mouth clean. Use your imagination. Maybe the toothbrush is a train and your kid’s teeth make up the track. Now your kid can choo-choo their teeth clean.
3. Race the Time
3 Great Ideas To Make Brushing Teeth Fun for Kids
Get a small sand timer for your child to watch while they brush their teeth. Let them flip the timer to start the time and then they can watch the sand flow out while they brush their teeth. This gives them something to do and something else to pay attention to besides the brush in their mouth.
4. Incentives
If you have a child that can be incentivized then you might consider doing some sort of chart where if your child brushes consistently for a whole week straight then they earn something. This could be a toy from a toy chest or if you want to stick with the teeth theme they could earn a new flavor of toothpaste or a cool new toothbrush.
5. Fun Toothbrush/paste
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Speaking of a cool toothbrush, it might help your child to be interested in brushing their teeth if they like their toothbrush and toothpaste. Having a toothbrush with Paw Patrol on it instead of just a plain blue one can make a huge difference to an obstinant toddler.
6. Never Use Scare Tactics
This isn’t necessarily to help your kid brush their teeth, but it will save you a world of headache at their next pediatric dental appointment. Never tell their children that if they don’t brush their teeth then they’ll have to go to the dentist. This will just make them afraid of their dentist, which won’t be fun to deal with in the long run.
7. Be A Good Example
Brush your teeth at the same time as your kid. This will help them to see that even big people need to keep their teeth clean. If you aren’t actually ready to brush your teeth for the night, you can always forgo the toothpaste and just act like your brushing your teeth.
Every child is different so what works for one might not work for another. The key is to stay consistent and positive. Compliment them on how good they are at brushing their teeth as you teach them to make good oral hygiene a part of their daily routine.
