8 Fail-Proof Tips to Get Your Kid to Brush Their Teeth

Everyone understands the significance of maintaining a good brushing routine for your child’s dental care; however, getting your child to brush their teeth is constantly an uphill struggle. One of the most effective strategies to turn the habit of good dental care into practice as children grow up is to help them have a positive attitude when it comes to brushing their teeth. Here are 8 steps to help your kids to brush up.

1. Start Early and Make It Routine

Building early habits such as tooth brushing when your child’s first teeth push through will help. Brushing twice a day establishes a routine for your child, brushing morning and evening, which will soon become part of their daily schedule. Feedback, whether it’s negative or positive, helps them reinforce the habit and make it feel like part of the day. If you follow the same sequence each day, like brushing after breakfast and before you go to bed, this will consolidate this practice. Frequent early exposure and nicely timed ensures a foundation for lifelong oral hygiene.

2. Let Them Pick Their Toothbrush

Letting your child choose a toothbrush is a good way to make your child brush. Children enjoy various types of toothbrush colors, patterns, and cartoons. This will make your child feel more involved in the process and may even make them think of using it. Such a sense of ownership can make time for brushing together a little bit easier. In addition, a lot of toothbrushes are specifically designed for little ones with tender bristles and smaller heads that are convenient for small mouths.

3. Use a Tasty Toothpaste

Kids will brush their teeth if you give them the flavor they enjoy in toothpaste. Kid-friendly toothpaste also comes in flavors of bubble gum, fruit, and the mildest type of mint taste available. Brushing isn’t such a chore if the toothpaste they like is being used. If kids like the taste, they are much more likely to brush without complaint. For their first toothpaste, make sure it’s filled with fluoride and safe for young children. One more reason they like it is that it provides a reason for the flavor, and brushing becomes positive.

4. Brush Together for Motivation

Encouraging your child to brush only or brushing together can be more of a family activity. Seeing family do it gives kids a good sense of it being something to do every day. You’d be surprised how much pressure children show when they witness you brushing alongside them, and how they mimic adult behavior. Brush alongside your child for two minutes at the start of the week, set a timer, and let them see it as a shared duty. Not only is this approach capable of making brushing more engaging, but kids may even look forward to spending this time with you. Family time helps set good examples by brushing together.

5. Use a Brushing Song or Timer

Timed activities, with music or some form of rhythm, often work really well for many kids. A song can be played for two minutes that is associated with brushing, then it becomes a timely challenge you can turn into a fun game of brushing. Some toothbrushes even have a built-in timer. Otherwise, you can use the timer on your phone. You may also just make a short playlist with brushing songs or maybe even create some yourself. With the built-in timers and music, kids stay on track for the recommended brushing time. Brushing ends up being an enjoyable and effective experience simply because you make it feel like a timed game or a dance routine.

6. Reward Consistent Brushing

A reward system for brushing consistently can help kids feel good. You can keep things simple with a basic sticker chart so they can see progress visually and work hard to keep going. Also, each time your child completes a brushing session, add a sticker or checkmark. When your child has reached a goal, such as a complete week of regular brushing, you can offer a small reward, such as an extra story at bedtime or a fun outing. Rewards are positive reinforcement and motivate children to keep at their process of routine. Remember, don’t get too fancy with rewards, and keep it simple, focused on building the habit itself.

7. Teach the Importance of Dental Health

If children are encouraged to learn how imperative it is to care for one’s teeth, children can do this their entire lives. First, in basic concepts, remember that brushing helps to clean the teeth from the thick film of bacteria, called plaque, and from germs that can create cavities and other diseases by using a special paste and a toothbrush. Even mouth spray can be introduced because it shows you can have more ways of keeping fresh breath in your mouth than just cleaning your teeth. In fact, with the realization of how great it feels to have a nice, clean smile, children will begin to do whatever it takes to keep their smile nice and clean as they get older.

8. Make It Fun with Brushing Apps

Dental apps and videos, especially for kids, turn the process of brushing into a game. Animated characters often march kids through acceptable techniques for brushing their teeth, including making it fun like a game. There are a couple of apps that use augmented reality to have virtual brushing companions and some that reward children for consistently brushing. These are interactive elements that change brushing from a thing you have to do to a thing you want to do. With many free apps, you can easily download them on a smartphone or tablet. Involving technology when brushing can help your child stay engaged and excited about dental care.

Conclusion

While teaching children how to brush their teeth can be difficult, these strategies make it fun. There are a lot of ways to make brushing positive, all from fun toothbrushes, tasty toothpaste, interactive apps, and songs. Following these tips, brushing begins to be fun and not just a necessary chore, supporting your child’s well-being and building good habits for a lifetime.

By Sierra Powell