3 Tips To Make Brushing Fun For Your Child From a Kid’s Dentist in Auburn MA

Getting kids to brush their teeth twice a day is a challenge in many households. But since oral hygiene is so crucial for dental health, it’s well worth it to find ways of making it fun and enjoyable, instead of a tedious chore. And by helping your child establish good habits at an early age, you’ll set them up to take great care of their smile for life. In this blog, you’ll get 3 great tips from a kid’s dentist in Auburn MA for encouraging your kids to brush by making it fun – learn more below!

1. Use Games and Rewards

These days, there are countless apps and games on your phone or tablet that encourage brushing twice a day and educate your children about the importance of healthy teeth and gums.

And one simple but effective reward system is putting a sticker on the calendar for each day that they brush and floss. If there are 7 stickers at the end of the week, you can give them a small prize to encourage them to keep up the good work.

2. Involve Your Child

In many cases, letting a picky eater have a say in what’s for dinner or involving them in cooking will make them more likely to eat well.

Similarly, letting your child pick out their favorite kid-friendly toothbrush, floss, toothpaste and mouthwash (for kids over age 6) is a great way to give them a sense of independence and ownership. And that will ultimately make them more interested in using these tools each day.

3. Make It a Family Affair

When it’s time for your children to brush, you can head into the bathroom with them and brush and floss your own teeth while they’re brushing theirs. Playing a song for 2 minutes is a great way to engage them and make sure they’re doing a thorough job as well.

You also get a chance to model good “hygiene behavior” like flossing, which is a powerful way to encourage a lifetime of good habits for them. An added bonus is that you’ll be taking great care for your own oral health at the same time.

Brushing doesn’t have to be a daily battle. With a few tweaks to your child’s routine, you can help lay the foundation for a healthy smile in childhood and beyond. And that’s something to smile about!

About the Author

Dr. Reema Dhingra is a kid’s dentist in Auburn MA who is dedicated to providing high quality, kid-friendly dental care to her community. She knows that her patients’ smiles stay the healthiest with good brushing and flossing at home, so she always spends time reviewing oral hygiene habits with both patients and parents. If you have any other questions about how to make brushing fun, she can be reached via her website or at (508) 832-6278.