Healthy Mama - Collaborative Post
One of the challenges that comes with being a parent is teaching your child healthy habits. Many of these habits are some they may not always relish – whether it’s eating their veggies or brushing their teeth properly. Many kids may find tooth brushing a bit of a chore, which can make their bedtime bathroom visit a point of contention – and possibly even a prime moment for an epic tantrum.
Fortunately, if you’re struggling to get your little ones excited about taking care of their oral health, there are a number of fun things you can do that should help to make tooth brushing time one of the highlights of their day. Not convinced? Read on to find out more and transform your family’s tooth-brushing habits today!
Dance While You Brush (Carefully!)
For young children, teeth cleaning can often seem like a dull activity which they want to speed through to get to their bedtime story. However, you can make it instantly more enjoyable by playing their favourite song and bopping along as they brush – just make sure they don’t dance too enthusiastically!
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Find A Family Dentist They Like
One way to get your kids keen about brushing is to find a dentist they feel comfortable with and who can encourage them to take their oral hygiene seriously. For example, Smile Style Dental Care Centre can cater to all your family dentistry needs and will help to provide an encouraging and stress-free atmosphere during your children’s dental check-ups.
Brush Side By Side
Setting a good example for your kids and taking part in the activities they may not enjoy so much is a great way to encourage them to do it, rather than handing down commands which they may instinctively want to rebel against.
If you keep telling them how important it is to clean their teeth, show them by doing it yourself right along with them. Brushing side by side as a family will make the activity more enjoyable for them and could even become a heart-warming family ritual that you wouldn’t want to be without!
Try A Reward Chart
Reward charts can be a helpful incentive for cleaning teeth – as well as for other chores and goals, whether it’s tidying their room or eating their broccoli. Each time they clean their teeth for two minutes, they can put a sticker on their chart, and at the end of each week, they get a little reward. As the jaunty meerkat would say: Simples!
Let Them Choose A Special Brush
A simple but effective way of encouraging your little ones to clean their teeth is by letting them choose their own toothbrush – whether it’s a superhero brush, a Barbie brush, or a Minions battery-operated brush. If they chose it themselves, and it has special significance, they are more likely to want to use it.
Get Their Favourite Toy Involved
Last but not least, an easy way to make tooth brushing more fun is to let them clean their teeth with their favourite toy. You could even get the toy its own little brush, and your child can enjoy a role-playing brushing session every evening with their best buddy. Job done!
