According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears, it’s time to visit your dentist. As a parent, the dental health of your child should be among the top priorities. Having in mind the restlessness of babies and toddlers, establishing a healthy connection between teeth and hygiene can be challenging, especially in the first couple of years.
But, how do you introduce teeth brushing without making it feel like a boring routine? Well, you put your creative hat on and start brushing with your kid. Scroll down to read eight super fun ways to make brushing an entertaining experience and see where to find kid-friendly dental cleaning services in Scottsdale.
1. Get Involved and Set an Example
You must have observed that kids learn what they see and not what is told to them. Sometimes you see them imitating you. The positive example you set for your child by brushing your teeth together will establish a healthy connection and make them see the process of brushing as an integral part further in life.
After all, you are your kid’s greatest inspiration and role model, so put that to use and inspire them. Go to the bathroom together, grab a brush and toothpaste, and start brushing. Make it fun for them: exaggerate your gestures to show them exactly what you are doing.
Encourage them to do what you do and when you are done, remember to pat their back, smile at them and show them that the brushing made your teeth all nice and white.
2. Let Your Kid Practice
Another fun way to interest your kids in brushing their teeth is to let them be leaders. Allow them some time to practice on others — you, your partner, their favorite plushie, and so on. They can use a toothbrush with no toothpaste on and as they brush, explain to them what they’re doing exactly.
Don’t forget to give praise for the great job they did!
3. Introduce a Fun Reward System
Kids love being rewarded for an errand, it’s just in their nature, so, make use of it and establish a fun rewards system. This way, you’ll really attract their attention and keep them interested in brushing regularly.
You can start off small and use gold stars as a reward (similar to what teachers do). Maintain a chart that you’ll keep in the bathroom and every time your kid brushes your teeth, stick a gold star on the chart. For instance, tell them that a 5-minute brush gets them a gold star. You can up your game and introduce bigger rewards after you’ve witnessed the brushing routine is well established (or your kids are older).
4. Play Games
The easiest way to make teeth-brushing enjoyable and see it shift into a habit in no time is by turning the process into a game. For example, you can “appoint” your child as the responsible person for the teeth of their toys: let them take a few of their plushie toys into the bathroom and brush their teeth (using a dry brush). Introduce another gold star chart for your kid to use every time a plushie gets their teeth brushed.
Also, you can go a step further and be heroes in your own story: you and your kids can be the detectives looking for plaque and cavities. By personalizing the process, you’ll be engaging your kid in really taking an effort to “get the job done” and have fun doing it.
5. Use Kid-Friendly Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
Kids are visual beings, so turn it to your advantage. Avoid using a toothbrush that you would normally buy for yourself, instead, buy a themed toothbrush that’s both fun and safe to use for kids. Plus, look for kid-friendly flavored kinds of toothpaste that won’t make them go yucky when they try it (strawberry or mango flavor will do the trick).
Moreover, you can go shopping together and let them choose their own toothbrush (you can still be in charge of what toothpaste you get, but leave the toothbrush choice to them). That way, they’ll get more involved in the process and really look forward to brushing their teeth.
6. Turn to Apps for Assistance
Take advantage of the digital realm and find an appropriate, kid-friendly app you can use to interest your child in brushing their teeth. There are a lot of educational apps designed to ease different processes in children, and dental hygiene is one of them. You can find teeth-brushing-themed e-books to read; your child will easily connect to the characters in the book and follow the example they set.
7. Dance Your Kid’s Way Into Brushing
A simple act of playing your kid’s favorite tune can help them link the process of tooth brushing to something enjoyable, rather than see it as an obligatory errand. Play a favorite song that lasts for about two minutes and dance to the rhythm. Use your hands or your silly voice to create a dance routine — it will engage your kid in so much fun!
If you’re feeling extra creative, make up your own lyrics about brushing your teeth!
8. Turn Teeth-Brushing into a Fun Contest
You can set a timer for two minutes and have you and your kid participate in a contest. Trigger their interest by telling them that the winner of the contest gets to wear a special band on their arm for the best teeth-brusher in the neighborhood. You can choose any type of prize for the winner.
For example, tell them two minutes of brushing without stopping, gets the prize. This way, you will also entice the friendly competitive side in your kids while finishing an important task.
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