Top Tips for Inspiring Your Kids to Brush Their Teeth
Start Early:
Parents who start early by wiping the baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after each feeding will have an easier time teaching their kids to brush their teeth.
Brush Your Teeth Together:
Young children love to copy their parents. Model how to practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing in front of your child and ask him/her to show you how well he/she can do it.
Let Your Child Pick the Toothbrush and Toothpaste:
Kids are excited about using a toothbrush that has their favorite cartoon character, superhero or color on it. A large number of kid-friendly toothpastes are available, which make brushing more enjoyable for kids. Ultimately, a child who likes the flavor of his or her toothpaste is more inclined to become excited about brushing.
Make Use of Educational Tools:
When children read books, watch videos, or play mobile/tablet games based around oral hygiene, brushing their teeth could become more important to them and more ingrained as a significant skill to obtain.
Use Music:
Music can aid in passing the time it takes to complete oral hygiene tasks. Playing a child’s favorite song while he/she brushes his/her teeth can help him/her learn how long to brush and help make the possibly ‘boring’ routine more exciting.
Use Motivational Rewards Charts:
Keep track of your child’s daily brushing by setting up a motivational rewards chart for completing his/her oral hygiene tasks. Keeping track of their brushing and flossing in a fun way helps kids learn consistency in their habits, and this can be used as positive reinforcement to encourage brushing.
Azi Nia, DMD, is a board-certified pediatric dentist. Dr. Azi (as her patients call her) attended Georgia State University and continued on to the Medical College of Georgia to earn her Doctorate of Dental Medicine. In order to become a specialist in pediatric dentistry, she completed a 3-year residency at Colorado Children’s Hospital, where she also served as chief resident. Dr. Azi is dedicated to providing excellent pediatric dental care and building confidence in her patients. Creating a positive dental experience customized to each young patient is central to her practice’s philosophy.