Children’s Dental Health Month: 4 Tips for Getting Your Kids To Brush

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and the occasion has us thinking: how can we get our kids to brush their teeth without a fight?

For many parents, getting small children up in the morning and in bed every night is a challenge.

Add in a complicated task like tooth brushing, and it can get downright chaotic. Are you searching for easy ways to get your little ones to brush their teeth every day without a fight? We hear you. And we’re here to help.

Shop for a Toothbrush + Tooth Paste

The art of getting your kids to brush their teeth every day begins with the tools they use.

Make a special event out of shopping for a toothbrush and other oral care products. Encourage them to choose a favorite color or design.

If a simple trip to the store isn’t enough to get them excited, consider looking at specialty toothbrushes together online. Violife, GUM and Amazon have a great selection of fun kids’ toothbrushes in a variety of colors and themes.

Make Tooth Brushing Fun

Every child is different--so each child’s idea of fun will be different, too. Does your child have a favorite song?

Play it for them while they brush their teeth. Set a timer for two minutes, and make a game of reaching the end of the timer without stopping brushing.

Brush Your Teeth Together

Many children feel more confident in a task if their parent does it with them--especially if the task is new.

Consider brushing your teeth at the same time as your kids, so they have an example to follow. Brushing together will show them that tooth brushing is a common part of normal, everyday life. This familiarity and normalization will help them develop healthy habits as they grow.

Create a Rewards System

Consider setting up a tooth brushing rewards system. Keep track of how many days in a row your kids successfully brush their teeth for two minutes in the morning and evening.

At the end of each week, reward their good brushing habits with a special outing, treat or privilege. You can even have them help create a special rewards chart or pick out the stickers for keeping track of their brushing success.

Ready to take your kids to the dentist? Hintz & Oakley Family Dentistry is one of Middle Tennessee’s top

providers of kid-friendly dentistry.

Contact us today to schedule your child’s appointment.