Tips to encourage your kid to brush their teeth.
When it comes to raising your child, there are things you can always compromise on. Say if your kid hates sleeping in their own room at night, you can talk them into moving to the room next to yours, or if they don’t like wearing huge bulky jackets while going to school, you can just have them layer up on clothes instead. One thing you simply can’t compromise on is brushing teeth. Dealing with a kid who takes brushing teeth as just another everyday chore might be hard, especially when you also must fix it into your busy schedule. Here are a few tips from our family dentist in Creve Coeur Mo on how to encourage your kids to brush their teeth.
Educate them on the importance
It’s never too early or too late to teach your child how important brushing their teeth is. Explain to them in terms they can understand. You can ask our family dentist in Creve Coeur, Mo, or any certified dentist for that matter, to give them a quick demonstration during their next dental check-up. They can even see photos of teeth with cavities for them to get the whole idea.
Build good oral hygiene routines early
It might be tempting to allow your child to skip brushing their teeth, especially while they are young. That shouldn’t be the case. Start a brushing routine for them early and make a point of sticking to it. You can get your toddler a bristle-free training brush to get them acquainted with the idea and sensation of brushing their teeth. The earlier your child learns good oral hygiene, the easier it will be for them to adhere to the system.
Let your child pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste.
There are so many kid-friendly toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste these days. And yes, you could go to the store and pick one out for them. But letting your child choose one for themselves can go a long way. They will likely go for a toothbrush with their favorite cartoon characters. As for the toothpaste, you offer your child the chance to select one with their preferred flavor. A fun toothbrush and toothpaste of their choosing can help motivate your child to brush more often.
Make it less of a chore and more of a game.
Your child is more likely going to look forward to brushing their teeth when it’s part of his or her fun routine. Perhaps you could come up with a game that you can both play while at it. Or put some music on and have them dance to it as they brush. You can even consider turning it into a family affair and have everyone join in. This way, you will be leading by example.
Reward your kid for brushing their teeth.
Look for whatever motivates them the most and use it as an incentive every time they brush their teeth. Even just voicing out how proud you are of them can go a long way in encouraging them to participate in the activity.
Dentist In Creve Coeur
Don’t wait until the cavities kick in. You can play a huge role in keeping your child’s smiles happy and healthy. While you may believe that your oral health is top-notch, it always helps to have regular dental check-ups. At Delmar Family Dental, we offer a variety of dental services for all ages. We can ensure brighter smiles for you and your whole family. Give us a call to schedule an appointment with our family dentist in Creve Coeur, Mo. To learn more about what we offer, you can check out our services page here.