Your child may start developing more teeth anytime soon. While it’s normal for most kids to get cavities at this stage, it’s still best to teach them the importance of good oral hygiene as early as possible. If you do not, their bad habits will carry on to adulthood.
While it may not be easy to make kids love dental hygiene, here are some ways you can get them to make it a habit:
Let Them Choose
Many toothbrushes look dull, and most of the toothpaste flavors only come in mint, which does not entice children. You can make your kids look forward to brushing their teeth by letting them choose their toothbrush and toothpaste. You can get them a toothbrush that has their favorite fictional character on them. You can also get toothpaste in fun flavors, such as bubblegum!
Follow a Song
If your kids know how to brush their teeth, you might be struggling to teach them another thing – how to brush their teeth for at least two minutes. Most kids will not be able to tell the difference, so they might only brush their front teeth for thirty seconds. Plus, absolute silence can make your kid feel bored and impatient. You can make brushing their teeth more fun by putting on a fun song. Try to choose one that is two minutes long and encourage them to brush for the entire song – that way, it will feel like the time flew.
Offer Incentives
Kids often respond well to rewards, so you can use that to encourage them to learn good dental hygiene habits. You can make them want to brush their teeth by rewarding them. For instance, if they brush their teeth three times a day for a week, you can take them out to the zoo. You could also use a chart and stars to let them see their progress. However, you should not use sweets to reward them for brushing their teeth, as it can counteract their efforts.
Find a Great Dentist
Many kids often feel scared of the dentist because they think that the sharp, metal tools could hurt them. You need to find a dentist that is good with children so that your kids can look forward to their trip. Plus, your dentist can tell your kids fun facts about their teeth and how to take care of them properly. You can search for a dentist in Taylorsville, Utah, that knows how to interact with children. You can check the dental clinic’s website or contact them to see if they know how to handle kids.
Be a Good Example
Most children look up to their parents to see what they should do. Therefore, you should make sure that you are a good example to follow. If they notice that you do not brush your teeth 2-3 times a day, they will not think it is important. Let your kids see that you care about your teeth and that taking care of them is not a chore.
Your kids must make it a habit to take care of their teeth daily. You can try out the ideas above to encourage them to have a healthy set of teeth!
