Are you finding it difficult to get your children to brush their teeth? This is not uncommon. In fact, according to the Center for Pediatric Dentistry, a branch providing a dentist for kids, more than 40% of kids have dental cavities by the time they reach kindergarten. Fortunately, there are things you can do to foster healthy teeth brushing habits in your family. Here’s how to go about it.
Fostering Healthy Teeth Brushing Habits in your Family
Teach Kids to Brush and Floss Around Age Six
By the time your kids reach age six, you must have taught them how to brush and floss on their own. That way, they will get a head start on their oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing are the most effective ways of preventing the accumulation of bacterial plaque on teeth. This prevents dental disease, which is why it is imperative to teach your kids as soon as possible.
Kids Should Choose Their Own Toothpaste and Toothbrush
One of the ways to encourage tooth brushing at home is to make it fun. If you visit a dentist for kids, you will often see that they find fun ways to make children more cooperative. You can do that by letting your kids pick their own toothpaste and toothbrush. There are a lot of colorful toothbrushes and toothpaste options that your kids can choose from. They can even pick a toothbrush from a famous cartoon character. You will find designs with Disney princesses and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more that are likely to catch their eye. Choosing a fun toothbrush will motivate your kids to brush their teeth.
Create a Tooth Brushing Game
This is another way to make tooth brushing fun. You can turn it into a game for your kids. Think about a story that tells your children why they should brush their teeth. For instance, you can tell them that brushing their teeth regularly turns them into heroes. Your imagination is the limit when it comes to turning the brushing of teeth into a game. You can also make up stories about what happens at the dentist for kids if they don’t brush their teeth properly. However, try to avoid turning the dentist into an enemy for your kids as that can create dental anxiety.
These are some ways to encourage your family to brush their teeth. Brushing teeth and flossing are the most effective ways of safeguarding dental hygiene. If you or your children are having tooth problems, contact us today.