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Visiting the dentist in Fort Worth regularly and getting dental cleanings can do wonders for your family’s oral health—but that’s just the starting point. The real secret to a healthy smile is having a regular, thorough oral hygiene routine, as it’s the best way to prevent plaque buildup that causes cavities and other oral diseases.
However, teaching the importance of brushing and flossing can be difficult if you have young kids. And while dental sealants can offer incredible benefits to children, the healthy habits they acquire in childhood will benefit them for years to come. So, to help you ensure a long life of healthy smiles in your children, we came up with this article.
Tips for Getting Your Kids to Brush Their Teeth and Floss
1. Make Brushing Fun
Children are very simple: if they don’t like something, they won’t do it. To encourage them to maintain their oral hygiene, making brushing fun is a must.
Adding music to brushing is a great way to achieve that, as it helps them associate cleaning their teeth with something positive, and it allows them to measure the time. After all, dentists recommend brushing for at least two minutes to ensure you get rid of any food debris and plaque buildup.
You can let them pick out their favorite songs and create their own brushing playlist.
2. Get Them Involved
A great way to encourage your kids to take their oral hygiene into their own hands is, well, giving them the opportunity.
You can let them pick out their toothbrush, toothpaste, and favorite floss, as this will provide a sense of ownership and personalization. By getting dental tools in their favorite colors and with their favorite characters, your child will be more enthusiastic about a menial task like brushing their teeth.
3. Offer Rewards
Kids tend to react favorably to rewards. Offering something they like can be a great positive endorsement that will help encourage them to take care of their teeth. Make sure to employ incentives like special outings or sticker charts or an additional half-hour of screen time.
Treats or candy are a no-go!
4. Brush Alongside Them
If your kid isn’t very excited about brushing, you can try to make it a family activity. Kids love spending time with their parents, after all. Tell them about what you are doing as you brush alongside them: brush top and bottom, behind your teeth, side to side, in circles
This will offer a great opportunity to teach them how to brush properly after all.
5. Educate by the Example
Monkey see, monkey do!
Young children learn by imitating their parents and other family members. Simply brushing your teeth next to them can pique their interest in following in your footsteps and provide an example of proper oral hygiene.
Get Dental Visits with a Dentist in Fort Worth
Do not worry if you do not know where to begin teaching your child proper oral hygiene practices. It is crucial to start out easy and teach them the fundamentals, just like with any new skill. And even with the best oral hygiene, getting regular dental exams is crucial.
Reach out to Silver Sage Family Dentistry, and let us ensure that your kid’s smile is as healthy as it can be!
