If you have ever struggled getting your kid to brush their teeth, you are not alone. Children are one of the greatest joys in life, but helping them develop healthy dental habits can be tough (especially if they are young). Fortunately, with a little time and patience, you can help your kid become a tooth-brushing pro.
Teach Them How to Brush
Make sure your kids are brushing their teeth the right way. Oftentimes, kids will say they are brushing their teeth, but mainly rinse their mouth with water and almost no toothpaste. If they are really little, they might struggle with fine motor skills necessary to do the brushing action.
Try and make tooth-brushing a game. Play their favorite song and brush along with them. Show that you take care of your teeth too so they can follow your good example. There are even dental apps for kids to help them stay focused when they are supposed to scrub.
Introduce Healthier Foods
You should primarily feed your children healthy foods that won’t damage their teeth. Fruits and vegetables have plenty of vitamins and minerals which strengthen teeth. By giving them healthy foods, you are encouraging them to live a healthier lifestyle—mentally, physically, and dentally.
In addition to embracing healthy foods, you should avoid hard foods like candy and popcorn kernels. These get caught in teeth and can be painful if left unattended. Avoid giving children unlimited access to sweets—particularly during Halloween and Christmas. Sugary sodas and juices should also be monitored, as most cavities in children and teenagers come from sweet drinks.
Set a Schedule
If you have a hard time getting your kids to brush their teeth, you might need to set a schedule for them to follow. Repetition is one of the best ways to develop a habit, so you should establish a daily and nightly schedule. For example, if your kids will go to bed at 8:30 p.m., you should have them brush their teeth at 8 p.m.
You should set an alarm for them to go brush. You may want to do it with them. This schedule can be great for establishing expectations with your children, and can help them brush before you even have to ask.
Before you know it, your kids will think brushing their teeth is fun. When all is said and done, you are doing this because you love them and want them to have a great smile. This is what the process is all about. Doing these things will help them to not only look great but also have a clean and healthy mouth.
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