Is trying to get your kids to brush their teeth an ongoing battle? If so, you aren’t alone.

As a parent, you want them to have healthy teeth and healthy brushing habits. But it’s easier said than done!

We understand how difficult it can be to keep kids on a regular schedule of healthy oral hygiene. If something isn’t fun or engaging, kids will consider it a chore.

That’s why we suggest incorporating some fun and play into their daily teeth brushing routine. Here are a few fun ways to get your kids to brush.

Brush Along With Them

Your kids are always watching you whether you realize it or not. They learn so much about the world from observing you in their first few years.

When it’s time to brush their teeth at night, brush yours along with them. Don’t make it seem like a chore. Smile to lighten the mood.

If you make brushing and caring for your teeth a positive experience, they will quickly learn the importance of caring for their own. Presenting a positive attitude about oral hygiene can make trips to the dentist easier too.

Let Your Child Choose Their Toothbrush

Kids love to feel like they’re in control of some of their decisions. Give them the responsibility of choosing their own toothbrush.

Toothbrushes are inexpensive, so it can be fun to get a new one when the novelty of the old one wears off. Let them choose their favorite color or character toothbrush.

They can also pick their favorite flavor of toothpaste. You can change this once in a while too. Adult minty toothpaste is too strong for some kids.

Whitening toothpaste isn’t for little mouths. Kid’s toothpaste comes in a variety of flavors. A new toothbrush and flavor of toothpaste can help get your kids excited about brushing their teeth.

Brush Each Other’s Teeth

If you’re looking for a way to get your kids to brush, try brushing each other’s teeth once in a while. This approach isn’t ideal for the long term. But it can be a fun distraction and a way to ensure their teeth are thoroughly brushed from time to time.

Let your child brush your teeth and “teach” you about how to do it properly. Then, you do the same for them. You can even try making a game of it and brushing each other’s teeth simultaneously.

Offer Rewards for Motivation

Kids work harder when they have a goal in mind. Brushing their teeth twice a day is a goal you can encourage.

Let them know if you see them doing a good job brushing for a whole week, there will be a reward. This can be a small prize, a new book, or an extra hour of video games.

Think about what will motivate your kids. Developing healthy habits they will carry through their lives is definitely worth a reward.

Sing a Toothbrush Song

Establishing a routine is an important part of daily oral hygiene. One way to establish a routine is to play the same song every time they brush.

This passes the time and teaches them the proper amount of time to brush. You can choose a song or find one The American Dental Association recommends.

They will get used to listening and brushing at the same time. You can even put them in charge of starting the music when it’s time to brush.

A little singing and dancing in the bathroom can be a fun part of your child’s brushing habits.

Keep Your Cool

As a parent, you know that nothing is perfect. Don’t expect every brushing session to go as planned. Tired and irritable children aren’t always in the mood to brush, no matter how fun you make it.

Remember to stay calm. Try not to make brushing a stressful situation by venting your frustrations or getting angry with your child.

If they associate brushing with stress or “mad mommy,” they will try to avoid it even more. Your child doesn’t have to do a fantastic job brushing every night.

Some days it may seem impossible to know how to make kids love brushing their teeth. Consistency is the key.

If you have a bad episode, it’s okay. Try again tomorrow.

Incorporate Brushing Into Playtime

Young children learn through play. You can teach them about the importance of brushing by incorporating it into playtime.

Kids love to brush their stuffed animals, baby dolls, and bath toys’ teeth. They can pretend to floss them too.

Pretend to be a dentist and go through the motions of a visit to get their teeth cleaned. Read fun books about teeth and good oral hygiene.

The more they see the importance of oral hygiene modeled into everyday life, the more routine it will seem.

Make Going to the Dentist a Good Experience

You don’t want to wait until your child has their first cavity to take them to the dentist. Start early and make it a positive experience for them.

The dentist does not have to be scary. if your children take good care of their teeth, dentist visits are a breeze.

You want them to have a relationship with their dentist and feel comfortable and safe in their office. Your dentist and the dental staff can reinforce what you’re teaching your child at home.

When your child feels happy and confident heading to the dentist, it’s a more pleasant experience for everyone involved.

Make Your Child’s Teeth Brushing Routine Fun

Establishing healthy oral hygiene habits early in life is so important. You can help your child accomplish this by starting early and making their teeth brushing routine fun.

Our team at Webster Family Dental is here to support your child and the entire family with all their dental needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Stopping children from playing is as impossible a task as it can get. They jump, run and play without stopping, with the consequent danger of falling down and risking injuries. If you have children, surely you have ended up in the dentist’s office for a broken tooth which was a result of their games. Do you want to know the main causes of childhood dental injuries, and how to act to prevent these problems?

CHILD DENTAL INJURY CONSULTATIONS

One of the most common consultations in our children’s clinic are dental injuries, which lead many parents to request an urgent visit. Only caries outweigh injuries as a cause of pediatric dental care, especially in preschool age. Specialized pediatric dentists will assess your child’s trauma and apply the most appropriate treatment for your case.

INJURIES IN MILK TEETH

Many parents believe that they should not worry about baby teeth, since they are temporary. Therefore, they do not act in case of tooth decay or injuries. Nothing can be further from reality than this belief. If your child suffers from an injury to their baby teeth, they should be treated by a pediatric dentist who personally assesses the problem and applies the appropriate solution. In this way, you will avoid future problems with the appearance of the final denture.

CAUSES OF DENTAL INJURIES

The child’s own motor development in its first years of life is one of the main reasons for trauma to the teeth. In this period, children begin to discover their first independence movements, walking, bending down and standing up. This significantly increases the risk of an accidental injury. Also, between the ages of 6 and 12 children begin to play more violent games and sports, which also represents another rebound in trauma to the teeth. The same happens with falls by bicycle. Children who suffer from epilepsy are also more likely to suffer from dental trauma, due to the appearance of the seizure process. In short, children’s activities are the main cause of dental injuries during their childhood, but we must also take into account that teeth that protrude forward or are weaker and break more easily.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A DENTAL INJURY?

If your child has received a blow to the face and has a dental injury, it is important that you get immediate attention. In this way, it is possible to evaluate the possible consequences of the problem and apply the appropriate treatment. Pediatric dentists will perform the necessary clinical and radio logical examinations to ensure that the child does not have lesions in the tissues and mucous membranes of the mouth.