As a parent, you already know how challenging it can be to get your child to do the things that are good for them but aren’t exactly at the top of their “fun” list. A prime example is caring for their teeth and gums. Since brushing twice a day and flossing daily is essential to keeping your little one’s oral health in top condition, you want to do all you can to encourage a consistent routine. By making dental care fun, you can build long-term habits that will benefit their smile for a lifetime! Read on to learn six ways to bring joy to your child’s oral health care practice.
#1: Let Them Pick Their Toothbrush
By allowing your child to choose their own toothbrush, they will be fully engaged in the process of caring for their pearly whites. There is now such a broad range of choices on the market now, they will have no problem finding their favorite color, design, or even animated character!
#2: Get Fun Flavors of Toothpaste
Long gone are the days when the only toothpaste flavor was mint. Now there are so many different delicious options, including fun flavors like strawberry, bubble gum, and watermelon. As long as the toothpaste has the ADA Seal of Approval to ensure its effectiveness, your child’s taste buds can also have fun while keeping their teeth clean and bright!
#3: A Dental Care Playlist
The joy of music can make even the most mundane things fun! By playing some engaging tunes during your child’s oral health care routine, they will begin to think of it as a fun activity. Be sure to include some of their favorite upbeat songs to play during brushing and flossing. You can even time the playlist perfectly by making it two minutes long so your little one brushes for the recommended amount of time.
#4: Kid-Friendly Flossers
Is your child hesitant to floss because it’s too uncomfortable for them? There are now child-friendly flossers, such as GumChucks. This unique game comes with characters, fun trading cards, and other items to make flossing more enjoyable and engaging for your child.
#5: Make Oral Hygiene a Family Event
As you well know, children watch everything you do and even begin to imitate your actions. This is why it’s important to lead by example when it comes to oral hygiene. By getting excited when you care for your own smile and demonstrating good habits, you will encourage them to do the same. Additionally, if you make it a family affair to brush and floss together, they will be sure to adopt healthy dental habits that will last a lifetime.
#6: Develop a Reward System
If your child still isn’t motivated by fun toothbrushes and an upbeat playlist, you can always begin to implement incentives. You can create a chart to track their consistency and print out pictures of the reward they’ll earn to ensure they stay focused. This will help them connect being consistent with their oral hygiene with a positive outcome.
About the Practice
The Dental Specialists are eager to help you keep your child’s growing smile whole, healthy, and beautiful throughout every stage. Their team of board-certified pediatric dentists offers a full range of dental services, including preventive care. With a focus on providing safe, comfortable, and high-quality care, they use advanced dental technology and personalized care to keep your child’s oral health in top condition. To schedule an appointment, contact them through their website or call (972) 496-0164.