It is important to start caring for your teeth at a young age. You can learn more about toothbrushing for kids by clicking here.
According to one study, about 31% of people don’t brush their teeth twice a day.
Is your child currently in those two percent? Making sure they brush their teeth now may help them get into the habit later on in their life.
It is important to start caring for your teeth at a young age. You can learn more about toothbrushing for kids by clicking here.
Start Early
One of the most important things you should do o ensure that your child brushes their teeth consistently is to start them early.
It’s never too early to instill that habit into their daily and nightly routine. Most dentists, like Do Good Dental, recommend that you start brushing their teeth as soon as the first teeth come in.
If they don’t have teeth yet, you can wipe down their gums with a soft, wet cloth at night.
You should also start flossing their teeth whenever the teeth start touching. This normally happens when they’re around two or three years old.
You should make sure they go to the dentist around the time they turn one, and you should also make sure you find a good pediatric dentist. In order to find a good one, you can check out these tips.
Tell Them a Story
You shouldn’t lie to your children, but telling them a story to incentivize them to brush doesn’t always hurt.
For example, you could tell them that there is something like an animal or a treat in their tooth, and the only way to get them out is to brush them out. You can even give them some control over it as well.
Like maybe they can decide which animal or which treat would be in their teeth.
If you aren’t creative enough to come up with a story, there are plenty of books out there that explain and simplify brushing teeth for children. You could try reading them that book to help them understand why brushing is important. You should also make an appointment with your dentist In grand Blanc to regularly check that their teeth is growing healthily.
Try a New Toothpaste
Your child may be so against brushing because they don’t like the taste of the toothpaste you’re giving them.
Your local pharmacy or grocery store should carry all kinds of different flavors of toothpaste. There are even some made specifically for children that have fun characters on the packaging, which may be appealing to them.
There are also different flavors other than just the classic mint, like berry flavors.
If your child is younger than three, you might want to get them a “training toothpaste.” This toothpaste isn’t harmful if they keep swallowing it while they’re learning how to brush and spit it out.
This toothpaste is fluoride-free, so you may not get all the benefits, but your child won’t get sick if they keep swallowing it.
Turn it Into a Game
Turning it into a game can be fun whether you’re a child or an adult.
The longer you brush your teeth, the more plaque you’ll end up removing, which means that you should incorporate some timed games.
For example, you could have your children brush while commercials come on during a TV show. That way they know how long they’ve brushed as well.
You could also find a favorite song that they enjoy and play it as long as they brush their teeth the entire time. You could also incorporate a dance party into this. There is even an app for this called Brush DJ and is free to download.
You could also find a small hourglass that has colorful sand in it. Some dentists offer these, with the sand running out in one or two minutes. Make sure that they brush their teeth until the last drop of sand is at the bottom of the hourglass.
There are also some colorful toothbrushes that light up for a certain amount of time. This will also keep your child on track and make sure they brush for the required amount of time.
At the end of the day, regardless of what method you use, you should make sure you encourage and praise them for doing such a good job.
Be a Good Example
Children learn by example, and if they see you brush their teeth every morning and night, they’re more likely to as well.
The same thing goes for flossing. If your child doesn’t see you do it, they may wonder what the point is for them to do it.
If you want your children to feel like they’re doing something cool and grown up with you, you can even brush or floss your teeth together.
Reward Them
One of the best ways to get children to do something is to reward them for it.
You can even have a good habit tracker or calendar. Every time they brush their teeth in the morning or night, you can give them a sticker and reward them for doing that.
You can even get all kinds of different stickers to make your children wonder what sticker is going to be next. When they fill up the calendar or sheet, you can always reward them with an even bigger reward as well.
That way they understand that this is a good habit to have.
Learn More About Toothbrushing for Kids
Toothbrushing for kids doesn’t have to be a huge fight every morning and night, especially if you follow these tips.
If your child still refuses to brush their teeth, you should talk to your dentist to see what your options are.
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I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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