Dental health is important for general health and appearance in the early stages and beyond that. Fighting against gum and oral problems does not have to be boring. One can make brushing and flossing fun for kids by adopting some strategies. This is important for children to learn at an early age, helping them make the most out of their oral health routine. If your kid suffers dental health issues, contact Thornton children’s dentistry.
Making brushing and flossing fun for kids’ dental health
- Toddler-friendly techniques
Let us talk about toddlers first! It is common for your child to show stubborn habits and an urge to finish tasks on their own around the ages of one and three. However, this may indicate that your child may not need to clean or floss their teeth as much or that they will brush and floss on their own and grow furious when you try to help them.
Playing alone with your child is an excellent method to develop independence in them. As an example, transform cleaning their teeth into a safari adventure! Get them a brightly colored toothbrush and tell them you are going on a safari so they can brush their teeth and identify an animal. Encourage children to find their most treasured stuffed animal and return it to the safari hospital so the animal can rinse its teeth from germs and sugar bugs and help the animal stay safe in the wild.
- Turn toothbrushing into a story
Make your 7-year-old’s oral health routine interactive if they refuse to brush their teeth! This is a great strategy for developing their creativity and curiosity.
- Play Music
Playing some music while brushing & flossing is a fantastic idea! Studies show that listening to music improves focus & reduces anxiety. Allow your child to play their favorite songs & make their own “toothbrushing” playlist, or pick a two-minute music! Make sure that you encourage them to floss while keeping up with the music & brush for a whole two minutes.
- Use a reward chart or sticker.
If you cannot motivate your kid to brush & floss on a regular basis, you can use sticker charts. Though it can be used for a few weeks, it can be an excellent help for encouraging your child & serving as a stunning visual representation of their growth. Thus, consider making sticker charts in Dental Health Month or when things are difficult. Be careful to substitute non-tangible rewards like “a choice of activity” or a further 30 minutes of screen time for chocolates or sweets.
