At Northwoods Dental Group, we’ve seen kids who love to brush their teeth, those who have no idea they should be flossing, and everything in between. During routine visits, Dr. Nathan Klabunde and our team frequently hear from frustrated parents who struggle to get their kids to brush and floss.
We want to support you during National Children’s Dental Health Month, so we’ve put together this list of 10 tips to help you encourage your kids to take good care of their teeth.
Set a good example. If your kids see you brushing and flossing morning and evening, they’ll understand it’s important. Watching you can also help them develop a good technique.
Letting your kids choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste gives them some independence. It also helps them have a sense of control and ownership of the process of caring for their teeth.
Giving them some guidelines to follow, such as choosing a toothbrush with soft bristles in an appropriate size, is a good idea. Their toothpaste should contain fluoride, as well.
Letting a child practice brushing a “friend’s” teeth is another way to help them feel more in control of the process. Stuffed animals make great practice subjects.
Brushing and flossing together is fun. When you brush and floss with your children, you can make sure they’re brushing all of their teeth, reinforce the habit, and make it a fun time.
Kids thrive with structure, so developing a healthy teeth routine can be a great way to build a good habit. Perhaps your routine includes brushing first thing in the morning, or before story time at night. Making dental hygiene part of a larger routine can help solidify the habit.
Everyone loves a party—especially a dance party. Set a timer for two minutes, turn on the music, and dance while you brush. Maybe you can even find a song that lasts exactly two minutes or find a kid-friendly, light-up timer toothbrush.
Rewarding good habits can be an effective tool. If you’re struggling to convince your kids they need to brush and floss, develop a reward system. Working toward a specific reward can be great motivation. We don’t, however, recommend using sweets as the reward.
Does your child enjoy cartoons? That could be helpful in developing solid oral hygiene habits. There are many videos featuring much-loved characters discussing the importance of brushing and flossing.
The library can be a wealth of motivational stories, to. Reading books together about brushing may help.
Obviously, brushing and flossing and regular visits to our office are very important, but you should also make sure you’re paying attention to your child’s diet. Sugary drinks and sticky foods make it more likely your child will develop cavities.
Make sure your kids have veggies, cheese sticks, and fresh fruit available as options. Instead of juice, suggest drinking more water. If they want more flavor, consider adding sliced fruits like watermelon or strawberries, to the cup.
Children should begin going to the dentist regularly when they are around 12 months old. Our team loves helping children get comfortable with dental care. We’re happy to answer their questions — and yours. Schedule a pediatric dental vis
