You probably know that brushing is important for adults, but do you know it’s equally important for children? It’s easy to overlook the role good dental hygiene plays in children because they’ll lose their baby teeth.
However, kids can still experience oral health issues, including tooth decay and problems with their permanent teeth coming in. In fact, tooth decay is one of the most chronic conditions seen in kids, affecting approximately 20% of children ages 5-11.
At Trident Dental in Houston, Texas, our skilled team specializes in pediatric dental care to ensure your child learns the habits they need to protect their teeth at every stage of life. Here are just a few ways you can amp up the fun when it comes to tooth care so they come to love this essential daily habit.
1. Create “Four Minutes of Fun!”
Two minutes for brushing can seem like a long time, especially when you have to do it twice a day. That’s why we recommend using a timer and turning their two daily brushing sessions into Four Minutes of Fun!
Next time you load up the toothpaste and start the two-minute timer, crank up their favorite song for an impromptu dance party, watch a short video, read a short story, or use a tooth-brushing app.
Turning these two-minute sessions into a fun event may have both of you racing to grab your toothbrushes.
2. Share the moment
Do you stand nearby and supervise your child’s brushing sessions? Join the fun instead!
Kids learn from the people in their lives, so turn brushing into a family affair. It helps to start a routine and stick to it. Not only does this build healthy habits, but it also gives families extra together time each day, no matter how busy things get.
3. Involve their favorite characters — or make your own
Does your child have a favorite TV or book character they adore? Whether you look for videos or books featuring characters like The Tooth Fairy and Elmo from Sesame Street or you make up your own, these friends can help make brushing fun for kids.
4. Make it an event
Everything is more fun when you love your tools, and that goes for brushing, too. We recommend taking your kids shopping for the perfect toothbrush and toothpaste formulated for children.
With so many colors and flavors to choose from, there’s something that will leave everyone excited for tooth care time. If they have trouble deciding, let them pick up a few toothbrushes so they can choose a different one each time they brush.
5. Reward good behavior
Last but not least, it’s always helpful to reward good behavior. Rewards don’t have to be store-bought or expensive; they just have to be meaningful to your child.
Think about what motivates your child most. For example, do they love a huge high-five? Other examples of rewards:
- Letting them choose a story to read together
- Giving them five extra minutes of screen time
- Adding stickers to a progress chart that documents their brushing
Some kids even feel rewarded when you say, “I’m so proud of you,” after they show you their bright, clean smile.
Do you want to learn more ways to help your child love tooth care? We can help! Contact Trident Dental to schedule a visit with one of our pediatric dental specialists by calling 281-975-4942 or requesting an appointment online today.