Getting Your Kids To Brush

Setting good habits early will pay off for your kids in the future.

According to the CDC, cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases of children in the United States. Parents may think, “They’ll grow out of their baby teeth anyway.” But bad oral hygiene can also lead to tooth pain, gum recession, and trouble eating and speaking. Setting good habits early on can save your kids’ teeth in the future. However, every parent is busy, and kids can be resistant to brushing. Here are some tips for making oral hygiene fun for the whole family. 

Play music

Part of the reason kids resist brushing and flossing is that break from entertainment. They’d rather be playing, watching videos, or doing anything other than brushing. Introducing some music or having a show in the background can help them maintain focus and spend the full three minutes dentists recommend. Introducing music will help make brushing seem like an extension of their playtime. 

Make it a game

For those parents with competitive kids, turning brushing for a certain amount of time into a game can engage their minds. It will be an endurance test that gives them a sense of accomplishment. For those parents with multiple kids, see who can brush the longest. The bragging rights will be a reward all on its own. Just be sure the game doesn’t become who can finish first.

Let them pick their brushes

Kids often let their parents know what their new obsessions are; the new game, their favorite sport, show, or cartoon. Take them shopping and find brushes and toothpaste that they find exciting. When bedtime rolls around, they’ll remember they have that cool new brush or paste. See if they’re not eager to give them a try.

Educate them in engaging ways

For those kids who need to know why it’s so important to take care of their teeth, try and find educational videos on YouTube. Sesame Street and Cocomelon have episodes on brushing and flossing. It will help to see familiar characters teaching oral hygiene. You can even make a routine out of putting on their favorite brushing cartoon while they get ready.

Tell them a story in which they’re the hero

Germs are bad guys that want to rot our teeth, and only we have the power to stop them. Just like a superhero takes care of their city, every kid is responsible for saving their teeth. Don’t let the good germs get taken over by the bad ones. And for those pesky henchmen hiding in the gums, make sure to floss them out and spit them out. Your kids can save the day every night. 

Make a sticker calendar

Some kids respond better when they can see their collection of rewards. It’s a visual reminder of how far they’ve come. Try putting a kid-friendly calendar in the bathroom. For every night they brush and floss, mark it with fun stickers that only you can reward. Once the calendar is full of bright, shiny stickers, they’ll see the fruits of their hard work. They’ll want to keep their winning streak going.

Get the Tooth Fairy to remind them

Teeth fall out a lot less often than we need to brush. Kids might forget the Tooth Fairy is waiting to hand out money. Give your kids a note from the Tooth Fairy to remind them that only baby teeth are worth money, not adult teeth. If they want to keep those pearly whites and not look like a Jack O’ Lantern when they get older, they have to keep up with their brushing and flossing. 

Brush together

A child could feel singled out if they have to brush alone. If they see that everyone is in it together, they could feel supported to stick with it. Kids also love to copy their parents, so lead by example. If you brush for three minutes, they’ll adapt to the amount of time. If you keep them flossing while you are, they’ll understand it’s not time to quit. The whole process can be seen as a team effort and not a punishment. Even if parents aren’t ready to call it a night themselves, they can always brush again after putting their kids to bed. 

For more tips, ask your dentist

If all of the above doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to contact us. The staff at Josey Lane Dentistry are here to help. We love helping kids maintain healthy habits and are here to support parents in their family’s dental hygiene journey. It takes a village, and Josey Lane Dentistry has been serving the families in Carrollton, Texas for nearly two decades. We work hard to make your children’s health a positive experience.