It is notoriously hard for parents to get their kids interested in their oral health. Kids often resist brushing their teeth because they don’t think it’s fun and don’t yet understand why it’s so important. Fortunately, there are many ways to turn it around. With a few tips, most parents can get their kids proactive about their oral hygiene pretty quickly.
Make it Fun
Kids can find brushing their teeth boring, so sometimes all it takes to get them interested in their oral health is to make it a little fun. This can be really simple. Things like finding a tooth brushing song on the internet or one that you can sing to them can be really fun for them. You could also buy them a toothbrush with their favorite cartoon character on it, or a toothpaste with an interesting flavor. Little things like this are very effective in building interest.
Establish a Rewards System
This can be a great way to help kids learn that going to the dentist is a positive experience. Some parents choose to reward their kids with something special after they take them to the dentist for family dentistry. If your child knows something fun awaits them when they have an appointment, they will start to make positive associations with going there. You could even up the ante by saying that if your child goes to the dentist and has no cavities, they get an even bigger reward. This will keep them continuously interested in their dental hygiene on a day-to-day basis because they know they are working toward something big when they go to the dentist.
Make it a Group Activity
If you join your child and brush your teeth together it can become a fun time for bonding with you. They will also be able to see that they’re not the only one who has to brush their teeth and floss.
Download an App
These days there are lots of fun and engaging apps to download on your phone for your child to use while they brush their teeth. Some direct them through fun stories that keep them from being bored while they brush and also let them know when it’s time to stop.
Even though getting your child interested in oral health can be frustrating, usually it just takes making it a little more fun to get them on board. These tips can definitely help establish a fun routine that keeps kids engaged and enthusiastic about having clean teeth and going to the dentist.
