15 Jul 4 Fun Ways To Teach Your Kids To Brush Their Teeth
As a parent, you recognize the value of teaching your child good oral hygiene skills, but you can also appreciate that your child is more likely to be engaged in the process if you can make it fun. The good news is that there are several strategies that can help you achieve that goal.
While making oral hygiene fun is helpful, you also want to be sure that your expectations of what tasks your child can perform are age-appropriate. If you try to get your child to complete an oral hygiene task that’s beyond their capacity, both of you will end up frustrated.
You can always consult with your family dentist for additional ideas about oral hygiene instruction for your children or to discuss particular challenges that you might be facing. Don’t hesitate to call us if we can be of assistance!
Age-appropriate Oral Hygiene Tasks
As you consider the best approaches to teaching your children how to brush their teeth, it’s helpful to review this refresher about which oral hygiene tasks are suited to which ages. Here is a general guide, although you may also want to talk to your family dentist for more specific guidance.
- Ages 1-2: Parents perform all oral hygiene tasks, wiping down the gums with a wet washcloth and gently brushing baby teeth as they erupt.
- Ages 3-6: Children can begin to brush their own teeth, although parents may need to assist to make sure the teeth are cleaned thoroughly.
- Ages 6+: Children take on the primary responsibility for brushing and flossing, although they still may need some direction and monitoring at times.
Making Oral Hygiene Fun
Here are four tips that can make a child’s oral hygiene routine more fun and get them more engaged in brushing their teeth:
- Make oral hygiene a family affair: Brush your teeth at the same time as your children to be a good role model to them.
- Use special tools: Let your child choose a special toothbrush or a fun-flavored toothpaste that will make them look forward to oral hygiene time.
- Use a two-minute song as a timer: A song can give your child a good reference for the ideal length of a tooth-brushing session.
- Use a marshmallow mouth, egg cartons or Lego blocks for a demonstration: Your child may find it helpful to practice on “teeth” that aren’t in their mouth.
You can help your child set the foundation for a lifetime of oral health by getting them started on a good oral hygiene routine at an early age. Talk to us if you have any questions about the best approach to doing that.