919-381-5900 As your child grows, he or she learns how to take care of themselves. One of the skills they need to gain during this time is how to brush his or her teeth. Helping your child get into the habit of brushing at least twice a day for two minutes can be difficult. However, if you are creative, you can make oral hygiene fun!
4 Minutes of Fun
Don’t simply set a timer and watch. Make brushing for two minutes, twice a day fun! Turn on your child’s favorite song and have a dance party. You can also turn on videos to make time go faster. Another option is reading a two-minute story using your best voices.
Go Shopping
Letting your child pick out his or her toothbrush and toothpaste can make the whole process more fun. Some children’s toothbrushes have characters on them, which can make things exciting. In addition, fluoride toothpaste comes in a variety of flavors and colors.
Stick to the Routine
Do not let your child skip brushing, even after a long day or during a vacation. The more of a habit brushing their teeth becomes, the better.
Reward Your Child
Find out what motivates your child and reward him or her for brushing their teeth. Maybe use a sticker chart or let him or her pick the bedtime story.
Incorporate Their Favorite Character
A lot of children’s shows and books have stories about brushing teeth. Watch and read these stories together and use the character as a good example.
Tell Stories
If there isn’t a tooth brushing story that your child enjoys, make up one. You can incorporate your child’s favorite character or make up a superhero who fights cavity-causing bad guys.
Brush Teeth Together
Your children can learn excellent oral hygiene habits from you, so set a good example. Consider brushing together as a family.
We welcome you to contact Bull City Smiles Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Debora Bolton DDS today for more ways to help your child enjoy oral hygiene in Durham, North Carolina. Also, feel free to set up your child’s next appointment with our dentist, Dr. Debora Bolton.