Is your child putting up a fight and refusing to brush their teeth?
Does their refusal to brush their teeth make getting out of the house or getting to bed on time trying?
This may sound like a familiar scene in your home. Brushing your teeth can become a mundane task for anyone, especially children. But as adults, we understand that brushing and flossing are essential to maintaining beautiful, healthy, natural smiles. Your child’s oral health starts at a young age. Children with parents who take a proactive roll in their dental hygiene routine tend to experience less oral health concerns later on in life.
Oxnard, CA family dentist Dr. Georgia Haddad provides comprehensive oral health care for adults and children. If you have any questions about proper brushing or flossing techniques during your child’s oral development, never hesitate to ask. Our compassionate dental care team is always willing to give you some advice on making oral hygiene a part of your family’s daily routine.
Dr. Georgia offers some tips and tricks for getting your child to brush their teeth twice a day, every day.
Do It Together
One of the best ways to start your young children off on the right foot is forming a twice-daily habit by brushing together. Young children love to mimic their parents or guardians and even older siblings. In the morning after breakfast, and at night before bed, get the whole family in the bathroom together for a big group brush. It may sound silly, but children tend to love the attention, and it can make brushing apart of your daily quality time.
Play or Sing A Song
For some parents, it is not getting their child to brush that is difficult, it is getting them to brush for a full two minutes. For a lot of children, two minutes may feel like an eternity. An excellent way to get your kids engaged and distracted from the clicking tock is to make up a silly song to sing while they brush their teeth. Make sure the song lasts for two minutes. When you are done singing to them, they know they can stop brushing. If they have a favorite song on the radio, play that while they brush.
Reward Good Behavior
A good way to keep track of your child’s oral hygiene, especially as they grow and become more independent is by maintaining a “clean teeth chart.” Let your child use stickers or stamps to mark off their daily brushing and flossing activities. If they brush and floss for a full two minutes twice a day for the whole week, offer a reward. That award can look different depending on the child and the family. For some kids, a reward is a lunch with just Dad, while for others maybe they get to skip washing the dishes one night, or a new e-book or a trip to the mall. Make brushing their teeth a treat, not a punishment.
Learn and Grow Together
Help educate your child on the realities of poor oral hygiene. Be sure to teach them the consequences of not brushing and assist them by teaching them good brushing and flossing techniques. Tooth decay is a leading dental health concern amongst children, and cavities can lead to gum disease and tooth loss, even in kids. Always lead by example, and practice what you teach. Our oral health care team can also help your children, and you improve your routine for optimal oral health.
Visit The Dentist Every 6 Months
Brushing and flossing are what you and your children can do every day to keep your teeth healthy and your smile beautiful. But, visiting the dentist every six months is essential for maintaining your family’s optimal oral health. Dr. Haddad provides dental services for all stages of oral development. Our dental care team is highly trained and experienced in providing comprehensive dental care for children, teens, and adults. Call our Oxnard, CA dentist office or click here to request an appointment online.