Are you struggling with your kids’ teeth-brushing routine? Toddlers and young children can be very resistant to cleaning their teeth, making this a stressful moment for parents.
Good oral hygiene is essential to have a healthy, shiny smile.
Poor dental care often results in painful cavities, which pose a threat to your kids’ health and guarantee extra visits to the dentist.
The good news is: teeth-brushing time doesn’t have to feel like war.
In this article, with help from Harrisburg dentist, we created a list of 8 fun strategies to encourage your kids to clean their teeth.
Why Is Oral Hygiene Essential During the First Years?
Promoting oral health is something all parents should focus on.
Teaching your children good dental care habits from an early age has two huge advantages:
- You protect their smile and avoid tooth decay.
- You help them establish good oral habits that will last for a lifetime.
If you want your kids to have a pearly white smile, teaching them to take care of their teeth should be a top priority.
8 Engaging Ways To Educate Your Kids about Oral Hygiene
Now that you are aware of the importance of good oral care from an early age, how can you get your kids to engage in dental hygiene?
Getting your children to like teeth-brushing time can be challenging, but trust us, it’s not impossible.
Here are 8 fun methods you can try to encourage your kids to learn more about oral health and develop good dental care habits:
Read Dental Books and Stories
If your kid loves stories, you can engage them with oral care by reading them dental tales.
There are a lot of dental books for children you can choose from. These are some of our top picks:
- “The Tooth Book” by Dr. Seuss
- “The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist” by Stan and Jan Berenstain
- “My First Visit to the Dentist” by Eve Marleau
- “Sugarbug Doug” by Ben Magleby
Or you can also get creative and make up your own stories!
Role-Playing Dentist Visits
Interactive activities can turn the most mundane tasks into a fun experience.
Kids love games, so why not give dental hygiene a fun spin and turn it into one?
A kid’s favorite is dentist visit role-play.
Set up a mini dentist’s office at your home and play dentist and patient. Anyone can play any role: you, your kids, other family members, or even toys.
Use a toy dental kit to examine and “treat” teeth, letting them know what happens at a dentist appointment. Make sure to make it fun and educational.
Make it A Special Moment
We know that many kids resist brushing time. The main reason why? They find it boring.
But it doesn’t have to be that way; you can turn oral care into a special moment.
You can start by letting them select their toothpaste and toothbrush.
They’ll probably pick a toothbrush with their favorite cartoon or bubblegum-flavored toothpaste.
The right tools can make all the difference and help you create an enjoyable experience for your kids.
Incorporate Their Favorite Toys
Make tooth-brushing even more special by including their favorite toy.
Every child has a favorite stuffed animal or doll they absolutely adore and never lose out of sight.
Before your kid brushes their teeth, tell them to brush their toy’s teeth first so they can also have clean, shiny teeth.
This is a fun way to reinforce the importance of teeth cleaning.
Brushing Songs
Kids love dancing and singing, so why not make teeth-brushing time more exciting by putting on some music?
You can play some oral care toothbrushing tunes for kids (you can find some good ones on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music).
Or you can simply play your child’s favorite song and have a jam session while cleaning their teeth.
Make a fun routine out of it, and your kid will begin to look forward to teeth-brushing time.
Make Your Own Toothpaste
Try a little science project to get your kids’ attention!
To make toothpaste at home, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 3 tbsp baking soda
- 15-25 drops of essential oils (to add a unique flavor)
- 1 tsp stevia or xylitol
Mix all the ingredients and store the toothpaste in an airtight container.
Emulate Good Dental Habits
Probably one of the best ways to promote good oral hygiene habits in children is by teaching by example.
Kids are always observing what adults do and using that information to understand the world around them.
So, don’t hide your good dental habits! Take the time to brush your teeth with your children and show them it can be a fun, relaxed activity.
Strive for Independence
Once you have taught your children the basics of oral hygiene and they are starting to get the hang of it, push for independence.
Of course, you can keep checking on them and ensuring they do it right. But it’s crucial, especially as they get older, that they can care for their oral hygiene on their own.
Being able to complete their dental routine without your help will set the foundation for their future oral habits.
Final Thoughts
Promoting dental care habits to children ensures they enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile for the years to come.
Use the strategies from this article to develop a fun, efficient dental routine for your kids!