4 Tips to Make Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids

Establishing good oral hygiene habits at a young age is important. Ensuring your kids are brushing and flossing correctly and regularly will set them up for greater success as they approach adolescence and adulthood. But if you’re like most parents, it can be challenging trying to get your little ones to settle down and take their morning and nighttime routines seriously. Read on to learn 4 ways you can make this process fun for your growing children.

Tip #1: Get Creative with a Story

If you have little ones at home, story time can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. Instead of reading a book, why not get creative by making up your own interactive story? You can incorporate brushing and flossing by telling your children it is the only way to defeat the angry plaque bots if they want to save their favorite princess or superhero.

Tip #2: Get the Family Involved

Don’t seclude yourself in the bathroom while taking care of your own teeth. Instead, join your kids and make it a family event! When everyone is brushing and flossing together, it is often more fun. You may also find that your children watch what you’re doing, so making sure you’re brushing a full two minutes as well as flossing between each tooth will inspire them to do the same.

Tip #3: Consider Rewards

If you decide to reward your children for their good oral hygiene habits, make sure you’re choosing things that will not put their smile at risk (i.e., candy, ice cream, etc.). Instead, create a sticker chart. Each time they finish brushing and flossing correctly (it should be twice a day for brushing), give them a star. At the end of the week or month (depending on your preference), reward them with a trip to the park or by letting them choose which game they want to play or which movie to watch.

It’s important to remember that because brushing and flossing can often be more challenging for little hands, you should help your children with this process. The level of manual dexterity and coordination can take time to develop, so giving them some assistance will ensure everything is completed correctly.

Tip #4: Let Them Pick Their Own Toothbrush

Children are often enticed by their favorite animated characters. Whether it’s a superhero, princess, or animal that they love, you may be surprised to find these faces on many different toothbrushes. When taking your children to the store, let them pick out their favorite. When they see that Batman, Cinderella, or their preferred Paw Patrol character is staring back at them, they’ll be eager to start brushing their teeth every morning and night.

Getting your children to adopt healthy habits early on doesn’t have to be hard. By incorporating these four tips and talking to their pediatric dentist for additional recommendations, you’ll soon find them ready to give their teeth and gums the cleaning they need each day.

About the Practice
Kids Dentist is a pediatric dental practice in Grayslake that is led by a team of professionals who are committed to ensuring healthy, growing smiles. With four dentists and a team of qualified staff, we are here to make oral hygiene fun and exciting for kids of all ages. Contact us via our website or call (847) 223-1400 to find out what we recommend when it comes to helping boost healthy dental habits at home.