Kids Won't Brush Their Teeth? Try These Helpful Tips
Is getting your children to brush their teeth a real struggle, or even a daily battle? We know that the struggle is real, but taking care of your child’s dental and gum health can have a lasting impact on their ability to thrive.
Brushing teeth is vital for kids. Brushing removes food particles and bacteria that produce acid, which causes tooth decay.
Did you know that tooth decay is the most common indication for general anesthesia in pediatric dentistry? According to the National Institutes of Health, tens of thousands of children receive dental treatment under general anesthesia each year. Beyond severe decay, general anesthesia is used for very young, anxious, or uncooperative children, or those with special needs who cannot sit for traditional dental work.
Although general anesthesia is very safe, consistent oral hygiene and excellent brushing can significantly reduce tooth decay and the need for dental work under general anesthesia. Here are 6 ways to help your child become a better, more willing tooth brusher and to help avoid costly dental procedures in the future.
Six Ways to Help Your Children Become Super Brushers
Tip 1 - Make brushing a Fun Experience
To help your child become more interested in brushing their teeth, a great first step is to buy a fun toothbrush that reflects what your child likes. Once they are excited to bring home their new toothbrush, make the experience fun! When you have time, introduce toothbrushing into playtime. Try acting out brushing the teeth of their favorite toys.
Bring music into the bathroom and sing and dance along with toothbrushing. There are many great toothbrushing songs available. Here are a few suggestions to try: tooth brushing songs by Cocomelon and Blippi. How can you make tooth brushing more fun in your home?
Tip 2 - Choose the right toothpaste
The next step is to make sure that the toothpaste you are using is not off-putting to your child. Children can be sensitive to the strong mint flavor and often describe it as spicy. Experiment with different toothpaste flavors and find one your child likes.
Several companies offer a flavorless option. This may be a good solution if your child cannot agree on a flavor that they enjoy. If your child happens to enjoy the flavorless toothpaste or a more expensive brand for the flavor, remember that only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is needed for children over age three. So the toothpaste tube should last a long time.
Tip 3 - Positive Reinforcement
Throughout the day, bring up toothbrushing and visiting the dentist at different times. Introduce videos, such as the Cocomelon brushing teeth video. Read books about oral hygiene or visiting the dentist. When looking at photos or meeting people, introduce positive ideas, such as “That person’s teeth are so white. They must brush their teeth!” Reinforce these positive ideas throughout the day.
Tip 4 - Have One Responsible Adult at Home Be the Toothbrushing Champion
Make sure that one person takes charge of toothbrushing time so that the habit is consistent. Having a toothbrushing champion helps put a system in place and keeps toothbrushing a consistent habit. The champion can also be in charge of making this a family habit, brushing their teeth with the child, and making brushing time fun.
Tip 5 - Let Your Child Have a Turn Brushing
Let your child have fun experimenting and playing with the toothbrush. Give them time to hold the toothbrush and get comfortable with the brushing motion. Don’t forget that you as the parent, need to be brushing your child’s teeth. Young children are not able to brush their teeth properly or effectively remove all plaque. Older children, even five- and six-year-olds, still need adult supervision to ensure they are properly brushing all areas of their mouth.
Tip 6 - Genuinely Care About Your Child’s Oral Health
All of these steps take time and effort as a parent. If you genuinely care and value your child’s oral health, you will have the fortitude to stick to these steps and help your child benefit from a consistent oral hygiene routine.
If you have tried these tips and still feel that you need help encouraging your child’s dental hygiene, make an appointment with our team at WoodSprings Dentistry. Drs. James and Samantha Tejada are pediatric dentists and parents, and we can help answer any questions you may have about your child’s oral health.