Do you have a child that has a difficult time sticking to their dental hygiene routine because they view it as a chore? While they’ll likely grow to be more involved and interested in maintaining good oral health, it’s important to continue encouraging them to take care of their smile to prevent cavities and other dental issues from arising in the meantime. Read on for four ways you can encourage your little one to become more invested in brushing and flossing at home.
1. Let Them Pick Out Their Own Dental Hygiene Gadgets
As a child, being able to exercise your power of choice is not only empowering, but also exciting! Taking them to the store with you so they can pick out their very own toothbrush and flavored toothpaste can help get them excited about using it.
There are countless different kid-friendly oral hygiene products on the shelf nowadays, from bubblegum flavored toothpaste and mouthwash to small electric toothbrushes that dawn their favorite cartoon characters and tunes. By letting them pick the items that they prefer, they’ll be more likely to use them!
2. Brush & Floss With Them
Parents have a variety of roles in their children’s lives, being a friend, support system, and role model, which is why by exercising what you preach, you can have a huge impact on your child’s habits. Instead of telling them to brush and floss each night and morning, make time to do it together! Show them how to effectively clean their pearly whites and how important it is to you, and your motivations will likely rub off on them.
3. Utilize Cool Timing Apps on Your Phone
There are several neat apps that you can download on your phone to help your child know how long they need to brush for, like the Disney Magic Timer by Oral B! This app is free and allows your child to keep long-term track of their progress, all while brushing alongside their favorite Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney characters.
4. Reward Good Behavior
Lastly, don’t forget to show your child you’re proud of them for taking care of their smile by rewarding their good behavior. Whether that’s letting them pick out the family movie night film or taking them to the store for a treat, positive reinforcement is an excellent way to continue to encourage their healthy behaviors!
About the Practice
Drs. Justin Chan and Sage Yoo are both board-certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and have completed post-graduate residency programs to specialize in treating growing smiles. With their combined years of experience, they’re able to provide a spectrum of kid-friendly dental services, from routine checkups and cleanings to nightguards for teeth grinding. To schedule an appointment, visit Sprout Dentistry for Kids of Allen’s website or call 469-663-0098.