How To Get Your Kids To Brush Their Teeth

When it comes time to brush their teeth, some kids will avoid the bathroom at all costs. As a parent, it’s your job to make sure that your child is not only brushing their teeth, but also using proper brushing techniques. Children should learn at a young age the importance of brushing their teeth to develop healthy brushing habits that will last a lifetime. Children also need to take extra care of their teeth as they develop their set of adult teeth so that they aren’t starting out with a mess of dental problems that will affect them later in life.

In order to get your kids to brush their teeth, make the activity less of a chore and more of a fun experience. Here are a few helpful tips to get your kids to brush their teeth, and hopefully enjoy it!

1. Use A Song

There are some great songs and rhymes that you can find (or come up with yourself!) to make teeth brushing a fun time. 1Dental.com lists some toothbrushing songs, as does the Wellesley Dental Group with their toothbrushing tune set to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” There are also videos on YouTube with toothbrushing songs, and CDs with children’s songs that also may have toothbrushing tunes! Get into a routine of singing a toothbrushing song and then brushing your child’s teeth every morning and night.

2. Pick The Right Brush

Using a toothbrush that is too big for your child’s mouth or has bristles that are too hard for their delicate mouths will make the toothbrushing experience uncomfortable and maybe even painful for your child. Pick a toothbrush that is specifically designed for children. Bonus points if you can find one that is in the theme of their favorite Disney movie or TV show, such as a Disney Princess Toothbrush or a Pixar Cars Toothbrush.

3. Choose The Right Toothpaste

Just like the wrong toothbrush can ruin toothbrushing time, the wrong toothpaste can leave a bad taste in a child’s mouth. There are many brands of toothpaste engineered for children that taste good, but still get the job done. Some toothpastes have flavors, like bubblegum, while others simply look fun, like this Oral B Stages Toy Story toothpaste. The important thing is to make sure that the toothpaste is an anti-cavity fluoride toothpaste, which will protect, clean and strengthen the enamel.

4. Brush YOUR Teeth

Children follow the example of their parents, so brushing your teeth is one of the best ways that you can instill good brushing habits in your children. Pass on the importance of dental hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and after meals if you are home. Tell your children about how good you feel after you brush your teeth, and how it’s something you look forward to doing everyday. Your child will want to follow in your footsteps and brush his or her teeth as well!

 

If you have any questions about children’s dental hygiene or how to get a child to brush his or her teeth, please contact the professionals at DentaLux. We’ll give you tips and helpful information about dental hygiene for children so that your kids will have the smile they deserve!