Kids Really Do Like Clean Teeth But You Need To Show Them How It's Fun
Kids are stubborn creatures who seem to fight everything that's good for them in life. Healthy foods and baths are considered icky and annoying, but your child needs them to grow healthy and strong. If you are having a hard time getting your child to brush his or her teeth, the tips below may help you convince your kids that clean teeth are good to have. Here are some fun ways to get your kids to brush their teeth.
Let Your Child Choose His Toothbrush
Children like the idea of making their own decisions. They tend to respond better to tasks when they feel they are in control. When you go to purchase a toothbrush for your child, let your child pick out the one he or she wants. If there is one in particular you prefer, you might see if you can talk your child into liking it. Once your little one feels that he or she is the big decision maker in this situation, they may take pride in being a toothbrush owner. That is the first step toward good oral hygiene.
Make It A Game
Remember the classic Marry Poppins line about making work fun? "With every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. Find the fun and *snap*, the job's a game!" You need to make teeth brushing into a game for your child. Perhaps you can have a race between you and your child to see who can get ready for bed the fastest. Maybe you can pretend that plague is an evil monster that Captain Toothbrush has to fight against. Think outside the box to make oral cleansing an entertaining activity.
Set Up A Rewards System
If your child continues to fight against brushing their teeth, set up a rewards system for it. You don't have to "pay" your kids to brush their teeth, but perhaps you could let them stay up 30 minutes later to watch a certain show. If you have set TV times or video game times for your kid, you might extend that after a week of consistent brushing. You could even go as far as adjusting allowance rates based on the good things your child does throughout the week. Keep a chart for chores, baths, homework, teeth brushing, and more, and then set up a reward for each task checked off the list.
It's not impossible to get your child to brush his or her teeth. You just have to think outside the box. Get inside your child's mind and find a way to get them to see the good side of oral hygiene. Learn some fun tricks from Dr. Monica Assad who is a great pediatric dentist and family dentist in Warrren, MI.