Practicing proper oral health is important for all ages, but sometimes getting kids to brush can be a chore. Many children forget to brush and floss, and most find both to be the height of boredom, but you can make dental health fun for your kids by following these simple tips:
Try New Toothpaste
There are many different kinds of toothpaste on the market now, including flavored toothpaste, character toothpaste, toothpaste with sparkles, and toothpaste that comes in fun pump style tubes. Have your child pick out different kinds she would like to try and experiment to see which kind she likes best. Just make sure that the toothpaste you purchase contains fluoride, as that is vital to children’s dental health.
Buy a Fun Toothbrush
Just like toothpaste, there is now a wide variety of fun, kid friendly toothbrushes on the market. From cartoon characters to battery operated toothbrushes, there are plenty to choose from. Let your child choose whatever soft bristled brush she likes best to encourage regular and consistent use.
Experiment with Floss
Flossing is even less interesting than brushing for most kids, but it’s still very important. There are several different types of flossing tools on the market now, including waxed and unwaxed, flavored, and fun shaped flossing pics. Different kids like different types of floss, so try a wide variety until you find the one that works best for your child.
Make a Game out of Brushing
To keep your child interested in brushing and flossing, make a game out of it. Sing songs to her while she brushes, make up a funny little dance to go with brushing, or even give out stickers after each proper brushing. Kids love games and they love to be rewarded for a job well done, so by incorporating both into their dental care routine, the odds are much higher that you’ll succeed.
Pick a Brush Time and Stick with It
Kids also love consistency, so set a specific time for brushing and flossing each day – it will go a long way to help them remember.
Try These Fun Activities
If you’ve tried all of the above and still have trouble getting your little one to enjoy brushing, try some of these fun activities and experiments:
1. The Crest Eggsperiment teaches the importance of proper brushing (Visit The Crest Eggsperiment).
2. The American Dental Association has several different printouts and coloring activities that help kids learn the ins and outs of healthy teeth (ADA printouts and activities).
3. HealthyTeeth.org has an experiment that demonstrates how much hidden sugar is in various foods (Hidden Sugar Experiment).
With a little ingenuity, some experimentation, and a lot of encouragement, you can make brushing and flossing fun for your children! Just keep trying and contact Dr. Wolnik or any one of our expert dental hygienists for any other questions you may have about your child’s oral health.
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Keep Your Kids Healthy
If you’d like more information, or have any dental concerns you wish to discuss with us, please make an appointment or contact Dr. Wolnik:
Address
6363 York Rd, Ste 202
Parma Heights, OH 44130
Phone
(440) 888-5055
Email
[email protected]
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Monday: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Friday: 7:30am – 1:00pm
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