A lot of kids do not care about their oral hygiene because it is not something that they think about; however, you can change that. It would be best if you instill good dental hygiene habits in them as early as possible. That way, they will take care of their teeth without you reminding them. To help you get started, here are some things that you can try to make your kids have fun while taking care of their teeth.
Make it a Bonding Experience
If you want to encourage a habit, you should make sure your kid associates the activity with something pleasant. For instance, you can try to brush and floss your teeth with your kid. You can make it fun and teach them how to clean their teeth efficiently (sometimes kids only brush their front teeth, so you have to teach them how to get every part of the tooth). You can make it a silly competition to see who gets the “cleanest teeth.” Once they get used to brushing their teeth with you doing the same thing nearby, you can slowly lessen it to every other day, and then they should be able to do it on their own.
Get Cool Items
The best way to make your kid want to do something is to give them cool items to do so. If your child is a fan of Pokémon, then you can get them a soft-bristled toothbrush that has their favorite Pokémon on it. You can also get them special toothpaste so they will enjoy the whole experience. There is a wide range of flavors that you can get for kid’s toothpaste, like bubblegum or strawberry.
Find the Right Dentist
If your kid does not want to go to the dentist, it might be because they got the wrong impression. Many TV shows make going to the dentist and doctor look like a scary experience when this is not the case. To let your kid know that the dentist is a safe place to visit, you need to find a pediatric dentist in Lehi who knows how to interact with kids. Kids’ dentists are often a lot kinder and know how to calm down children. The right dentist can make your kid love taking care of their teeth.
A Reward System
If you want to build a habit with your kid, then you can try a reward system. Kids enjoy feeling like they accomplished something. More importantly, they want to be rewarded by it. You do not have to give them candy every time they brush their teeth (since that would be counterproductive), but you can try other incentives. For instance, you can put a chart in the bathroom, and you put a star on it each time they brush their teeth. If they get enough stars throughout the week, you can treat them to something nice like ice cream.
It can be hard at first to get your kids to love dental hygiene but do not worry. These tips can help your kids have good oral hygiene habits.
