My kid hates brushing her teeth. What can I do to change that?
Your kid might be very reluctant when it comes to making brushing a regular habit. However, don’t quit yet. Kids can be taught good brushing habits by following a few simple steps. Children should be taught good oral hygiene from a young age.
Do not create fear by using threats such as you’ll take them to a dentist if they don’t brush properly. Just try to make brushing a fun activity for your children.
Why kids hate to brush their teeth
One of the most difficult things that parents face during child-rearing is their kids resisting to brush the teeth. Most children perceive brushing teeth as a tiring and boring activity. Parents should make brushing teeth a fun activity for their children. Kids may fail to understand the concept of good dental care and the importance of preventing cavities.
How to make brushing teeth fun for your kid
You can make brushing teeth a fun activity for your children by following a few simple steps.
Below are a few steps you can follow to make your kids enjoy brushing their teeth:
- Be a good example
The best way to teach your kids how to brush is by letting them see how you brush your teeth. Demonstrate to them how you clean your gums, tongue, and your back teeth.
- Set a reward
Encourage your kids to brush their teeth properly every morning and night by rewarding them with a toy or a special outing, whenever they clean their teeth for at least 2 minutes in a row.
- Turn it into a game
Encourage your kids to brush their teeth by racing against each other to see who will brush their teeth the longest.
- Add some music
Play some music and tell your kid to stop brushing when the music stops. This will ensure your kid brushes for at least 2 minutes.
- Change your toothpaste regularly
Use different flavored tubes of toothpaste every day and make your kids taste the flavor they like. You can use fluoride-free toothpaste to prevent them from getting harmed in case they swallow some toothpaste by mistake.
- Let them practice on you
You can open your mouth and encourage your child to brush your teeth using a toothbrush. You can also make it an exciting activity by allowing your kid to brush toys or stuffed animals with a toy toothbrush.
- Make your children independent
Kids enjoy feeling independent and doing “grown-up activity.” Show them that brushing is a grown-up activity, by allowing them to find the toothpaste, open the tube, and squeeze it out on their toothbrush. This will help hone their motor skills, confidence, and independence.
- Make it family time
Make it a habit for your family to brush their teeth together. You can make it family time in the mornings and evenings.
- Let your dentist help
You can take your kid to your dentist so that they can learn from them how brushing is done. The kid might take the dentist’s information more seriously than yours and may end up mimicking the dentist too.
- Take your kids shopping
You can take your kids on a special shopping trip and allow each of them to pick their own toothbrush and toothpaste. This may encourage your kids to take brushing more seriously.
