Encouraging Kids to Brush

For many kids, brushing teeth and practicing good oral hygiene isn’t as fun as playing in the park or watching Saturday cartoons. That’s why it’s often difficult to get children into a regular routine of thorough brushing and flossing.

Difficulty aside, getting in the habit of a healthy oral hygiene routine is vital to a child’s oral and dental development. 

In order to help you ensure your children have a future full of healthy smiles, your local Amarillo, TX pediatric dentist has a few suggestions on how to make oral hygiene fun and encourage your children to get in the habit of brushing and flossing every day.

Provide Fun Tools

There are many fun toothbrushes and toothpastes designed to appeal to children. Allow your children to pick out their own toothbrushes and toothpastes and they’ll be more likely to want to use them.

Set a Good Example

Children often mimic their parents, so set a good example by brushing and flossing regularly and make a point of doing it alongside your children. You’ll be spending quality time with your kids while taking care of your pearly whites at the same time!

Use a Rewards System 

You can create a dental care incentive system for your children—if they brush their teeth everyday for a month then reward them with some sort of prize, like a trip to the park or extra playtime before bed. Make this even more fun for your children by allowing them to track their progress with an activity, like putting stickers on a chart.

Visit Your Local Children’s Dentist Regularly

While practicing good oral hygiene at home is important to dental health, it is also important to regularly take your children to visit a pediatric dentist. The kids’ dentistry specialists at Children’s Dentistry of Amarillo can provide many services to keep smiles looking their best. Contact us to schedule an appointment, and begin encouraging your children to practice good oral hygiene habits at home today!