Getting your toddler or child to brush his or her teeth doesn’t have to be hard—like most things, kids want to participate if it’s fun! It’s never too early to teach your child the importance of taking care of their teeth, including brushing and flossing. Brushing doesn’t have to seem like a chore with these simple tips!
Pick a Special Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Having your child pick out a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically for him or her will help to motivate proper brushing skills! These days, toothbrushes come in a variety of fun colors, and some even incorporate popular cartoon characters to get your child excited about brushing. Let them know that this is their toothbrush and it’s a very important tool that will help take care of their very important teeth!
Ready, Set… Games!
Nothing makes brushing more fun than turning it into game time! There are many games you can incorporate into your child’s brushing routine, including:
Taking turns. Let your child brush your teeth, then you brush theirs. You can alternate and have a timer to regulate the brushing!
Songs. Singing a song that’s the designated time for brushing teeth is perfect! Check out such songs like “This Is the Way We Brush Our Teeth”, “Are Your Teeth Clean and White?”, and “Brush Brush Brush Your Teeth”.
Buy a timer. Having a timer turns your child’s brushing time into a game. By completing their task in the recommended two minutes, they can win a prize!
Ever Heard of the Tooth Fairy?
The Tooth Fairy can help motivate your child to take great care of their teeth! Kids start losing their baby teeth around age six, so this is a great time to introduce the tooth fairy and he or she can offer brushing advice and motivate your child to keep their teeth clean every time he or she collects a tooth.
Enlist Technology
With apps that offer games, points, songs, and even brushing feedback, you can enlist the help of technology to make your child’s brushing time a positive experience twice a day. You can even get such toothbrushes as Kolibree which transmit information from your child’s brushing to an app or toothbrushes that play music for the recommended two minutes for you! Check out such apps as Chomper Chums and Momo, and encourage your child to keep those little teeth sparkling!
Offer Incentives
If it’s particularly difficult to get your child to take tooth brushing seriously, you may want to consider offering incentives. They don’t have to be large prizes, but you could offer a sticker, a book selection, or even a healthy treat when kids brush their teeth. Even a fun new toothbrush or toothpaste could be a prize!
Your child’s baby teeth will fall out, but the adult teeth that replace them need to last your kids for life. Taking proper care of their teeth is something you can help your toddler with and encourage your older kids with as they grow up. Use these simple tips to make brushing time fun!
