Getting Kids to Brush Better and Longer

As parents know, there are often a handful of things kids just refuse to do-like eating their veggies, going to bed and brushing their teeth. As big advocates for dental health, we have some fun new ways to encourage good brushing habits.

Teach them why.

Give kids an understanding about why it’s important to brush their teeth. Try kid-friendly stories about how cavities form, why they should floss, and more.

Use examples.

Use easy-to-understand examples to help illustrate correct brushing. A popular example is mimicking the wheels of a choo-choo train, which teaches kids to brush in a circular motion. Encourage them to make as many bubbles as possible while brushing. Also, use yourself as an example by letting your kids watch you brush your teeth.

Let them take control.

When you let kids choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste with fun cartoons or characters on them, chances are they’ll be more excited about brushing.

Find a child-friendly dentist.

Make sure your kids have their first dental visit around their first birthday, or when their first teeth appear. Look for a dentist who works with kids-they will have tried-and-true tips to help kids understand the importance dental care.

Teaching kids early how to care for their teeth is a great step in setting them up for a lifetime of good oral hygiene.

Sources:

• http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems38.html
• http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-teeth-14/brushing-teeth-mistakes?page=1