If you have a child that pays attention to what you say, brushes their teeth for the correct amount of time, and does a good job while doing it, it is very likely that you will be the envy of parents everywhere.
For something that is seemingly such a simple task, it can be difficult for adults to do correctly, let alone children, so in order to keep their oral hygiene in tip-top condition, this article will take a look at tips on how you can help your children brush their teeth.
Change the Toothpaste
While mint is generally considered a universal flavor for toothpaste, it is hardly a surprise that not everyone enjoys it. It can be particularly strong on sensitive tastebuds, which can make brushing our teeth unpleasant – pair this with a child and their lack of willingness or understanding, and you could have a difficult task on your hands. It is not hard to empathize with not enjoying the taste of something, so changing the toothpaste could help your child adjust much more easily to brushing their teeth or even enjoy it. You can get kids flavors such as strawberry or watermelon, which can make the taste of toothpaste a little more bearable – something that closely resembles sweets in taste is sure to be a hit.
Novelty Toothbrushes
We are now blessed to be in a day and age where children (and adults alike) can get their favorite cartoon characters printed on dental products. As with any shiny new thing, it can be exciting to use it for the first time, and having a toothbrush that they love can definitely soften the blow that they have to use it to brush their teeth rather than play with it. Children’s toothbrushes are also much softer than adult toothbrushes, and the softer brushes can help mitigate some of the pain that can come from brushing teeth with hard bristles. We should all take care when brushing our teeth that we are not brushing too hard as this can damage the enamel, and soft bristles can definitely help with that – whatever your age! Children’s teeth are more fragile, though, so opting for soft bristles from the get-go can only be a good thing. If you need help choosing the best toothbrush for you and your children, head over to Alex Jones Dentistry!
Turn It into A Game
Plenty of children love games, so turning something that has to be done into a game can very much be a sure-fire way of getting them to participate without too much aggravation, or even willingly! You can make up your own game or simply brush your teeth with them as a bonding exercise. Children do love to play ‘grown-up’, and seeing you do the same thing with them is a great way to spend time together and take away the connotations of what brushing their teeth can mean – bedtime!
Another tip that should not be overlooked is an explanation as to why they are brushing their teeth. It can be easier for children to do what they are asked to do when they understand why it will be good for them, rather than just because “someone said so”.
