Every parent wants the best for their child. That extends all the way down to something as basic as hygiene. Unfortunately, as many parents know, it can be difficult for children to maintain such healthy habits, particularly brushing their teeth. This impact has been felt by many children, as nearly half of all children in America will experience some form of tooth decay between the ages of 2 and 11. Making sure children are maintaining healthy oral behaviors will take some patience and carefully crafted strategies. This post will detail a number of those strategies to simplify the morning and nightly brushing that every child should be doing.
Positive Framing & Reinforcement: it’s no secret that brushing is viewed by children as something monotonous. Parents must find a way to frame the brushing more positively for any real impact on a habit. Finding a way to make the experience of brushing their teeth more fun or entertaining for them will improve the habits that are formed. Parents may race their children to the sink every morning, or act as though they’ve forgotten how to brush, and their child has to teach them. Anything to improve the way children view brushing.
Make It A Family Affair: as mentioned previously, children love to be engaged in something with their parents. While brushing isn’t always atop their priority list, it’s hard to not feel enticed when children notice their parents are brushing. Of course they may not be in a rush to copy their parents brushing their teeth, but for any child uncomfortable brushing alone, this can make all the difference. A few extra minutes of family time is healthy for everyone involved.
Expression Is Important: every child views brushing differently. Some children are extremely uncomfortable with brushing their teeth. In these extreme cases, it can be important to find ways to make a child feel even the least bit comfortable. Typically, parents will look to something meant to ease the nerves while brushing. For some children, this can be as simple as a personalized toothbrush. The way in which brushes have evolved is extraordinary. Some children find comfort in a toothbrush that sings along as they brush their teeth. Additionally, some toothbrushes are connected to integrated apps offered on mobile devices that can track brushing behaviors for children and provide interactive shorts for when they do brush.
Involving The Dentist: while fear isn’t suggested as a motivating force, at a young age, it’s no secret that most children dread their trips to the dentist’s office. With all of the different procedures and tools used in the office, many children are left frightened. What a dentist can explain to these children, though, is that brushing their teeth regularly limits the amount of work they’ll need to do per visit. Limiting the fear children experience each dentist visit is a great motivating factor for them.
If you’re looking for some additional tips and tricks on how to keep your children brushing more regularly, take a moment to check out the infographic paired alongside this post. Courtesy of Sycamore Hills Dentistry.