Getting kids to brush their teeth can be one of the most challenging habits to build. For many parents, teaching kids good dental hygiene is a twice-daily battle. But it’s a fight worth having. You are not the only one who’s googled ” how do I make my kid brush his teeth without screaming”. Kids tend to interpret bathroom time as a chore. Most kids don’t jump for joy when it’s time to brush their teeth. Try making oral healthcare fun and informative with these tips !!!
- LET THEM PICK OUT A FUN TOOTHBRUSH.
Kids want a little bit of control, so let them pick out their toothbrushes. Nowadays, there are countless toothbrushes in fun colors and shapes, popular characters, and even ones that play the song.
You can also let them pick out (acceptable options) the kind of toothpaste they want to use.
By letting them choose, you can give them a sense of control over their routine.
- EXPLAIN WHY THEY’RE BRUSHING THEIR TEETH.
Kids are curious and one thing they’re undoubtedly going to be curious about is exactly why we have to brush our teeth. Don’t be scared to go into a little detail when it comes to explaining the importance of brushing to your children.
You can keep it simple by explaining that food is caught between their teeth and that brushing helps to clean and keep their teeth lovely and white.
- BRUSH YOUR TEETH TOGETHER.
One way to make morning and nighttime brushing fun is to do it together. Make it a family event! Children tend to copy what their parents do, and when everyone is brushing their teeth together it’ll feel less like a punishment.
Maybe play a game together so the process looks fun and not a chore. If you find a way to distract them from the monotony of hygiene, they will be more likely to do it on their own.
- BUILD A REWARD SYSTEM.
Setting up a rewards system means deciding between providing an instant or delayed reward. This is a personal decision, and the system that works best will depend on your child (and often your child’s age).
Purchase, print out or create your calendar. Buy sets of stickers you think your child will love. Every night & morning after your child has finished brushing his teeth, reward his/her effort with a sticker to place on the calendar to mark a successful cleaning.
If he/she successfully fills up a full month of the calendar with stickers, reward your child with an even bigger reward, like a toy they wanted.
- DANCE, PLAY, AND BRUSH
Playing music while brushing teeth adds a calming and enjoyable sensory component to this task. Add some rhythm to your two minutes of brushing. Dance around the bathroom and then when the music stops, you’re done brushing your teeth.
You can even try using a musical toothbrush to make this activity more fun. Your child can press play themselves, start brushing when the music starts and finish when the tune ends.
- PLAY A GAME
Play “Its teeth brushing time!” Even incorporating a story as part of the routine can make it fun. You know your child better than anyone and using a little imagination can make a big impact. Maybe brushing their teeth as “Superman” or “Supergirl” in a cape will help them defeat the bad plaque monsters.
If your child has an older sibling, a little friendly competition of “who can get rid of the most sugar bugs” could be the ultimate cavity-fighting game!
- DOWNLOAD A FUN APP
Not my favorite. Many parents are not willing to break out the technology for their kids. So it’s your personal choice. There are countless apps available on the market today.
“Brush DJ” plays two minutes of music (the recommended time for brushing) while the brusher races against the clock to get a clean mouth before time is up. “Star Teeth” allows kids to pick a character who encourages them while they brush.
Head to YouTube to look for videos of your kid’s favorite cartoons brushing their teeth. You’ll find videos of Elmo, Calliou, and Crawford the Cat brushing their teeth. Not only will the cartoons reinforce hygiene as positive behavior, but they’ll help your child feel closer to their favorite characters.
