You want your kids to try their best — in the classroom, on the soccer field and everywhere in between. You especially want your children to try their best when it comes to matters related to their health. This includes brushing their teeth.
Dr. Gordon Bell is a knowledgeable and trustworthy family dentist with offices in York and Hellam. Here, Dr. Bell provides tips to help your kids become better toothbrushers.
Start Early
The earlier you instill healthy habits with your kids, the easier it is to maintain them. This includes brushing teeth. When your children are young you will need to brush their teeth for them. Create a routine around brushing teeth. This will help your children become comfortable with brushing their own teeth as they age.
Give Them Options
Kids love to make their own decisions. There are a lot of ways that you can give kids options to encourage them to brush their teeth. Some of the best ways to give kids options when it comes to brushing their teeth is to let them pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste. There are a lot of fun options for toothbrushes and tasty options for toothpastes.
Depending on your routine in the mornings and evenings, you may also consider letting them decide when they want to brush their teeth. For example, before or after their bedtime story.
Set an Example
While kids may not always listen to their parents, they definitely want to do what they see their parents doing. Set an example for your kids by regularly brushing your teeth in the morning and before bed. You can even make it a family affair and brush your teeth together.
Talk to Them
Have age-appropriate conversations with your kids about the importance of brushing their teeth. If your kids are young, you may even consider children’s books or cartoons about dental hygiene.
Be a Cheerleader
There are a lot of ways that you can cheer on your child when they brush their teeth. You can compliment them on their brushing technique and their beautiful smile. You may also consider creating a reward system, such as a sticker chart.
Use Music
Kids may struggle with brushing their teeth for the appropriate amount of time. Let them choose a song to play while they brush their teeth. Playing music also helps to make it fun and pass the time.
Schedule Regular Dental Appointments
Regular dental appointments are important for your child’s oral health and can help reinforce healthy habits including toothbrushing. Make sure to visit a dentist like Dr. Bell, who has experience working with kids.
To schedule a pediatric dental appointment with Dr. Bell at his York or Hellam office, please call (888) 906-2343 or email The Center for Dental Excellence today.
