It’s been a good day, but now comes the time you dread every single evening: bedtime. You just can’t seem to get your child to brush their teeth consistently, and you’re worried that it’s eventually going to lead to a painful toothache as well as a sizeable dental bill. This is a struggle many parents go through, but it’s one you don’t have to battle alone. With these 4 easy tips from a children’s dentist in El Reno, you’ll have your little one brushing like a pro in no time, leading to peaceful evenings and clean teeth for years to come.
Make Oral Hygiene a Family Activity
Young children just love to mimic what their parents and older siblings do, so when it’s time for your child to clean their teeth, clean yours right alongside them! This group approach will make it much easier for them to pick up the habit, plus you’ll have a prime opportunity to explain why taking care of their teeth is so important. In this case, monkey-see-monkey-do can lead to a healthy smile!
Let Them Pick Out Their Own Products
Your child will be much more willing to take care of their teeth if they are using a brush and toothpaste of their own choosing, especially if it has their favorite character on it. If you’ve been to the store lately, you will have likely noticed that there is a nearly endless variety of child toothbrushes, toothpastes, and every other oral healthcare product you can imagine. They’re brightly colored and some even make sounds, so your child should easily be able to pick out the products that “speak” to them.
(Just make sure the toothpaste has fluoride and that your child is using a soft-bristled brush.)
Make It a Game
To make oral hygiene a little more enticing, there are plenty of things you can add to the mix to spice things up. For example, you can play a little song that conveniently lasts for the recommended two minutes a child should be brushing their teeth. There is also a multitude of apps where your child can brush with an animated cartoon character and even track how many days they have done it in a row. At the end of a week or so, you can give your child a little reward that will encourage them to keep up the good work.
Trust Your Dentist in El Reno
Remember when we said that you’re not alone? Your child’s routine dental appointments are another excellent way to help them turn into a cavity-fighting hero. Simply scheduling an appointment and taking the time to attend it will demonstrate how important your child’s dental health is to them, and their dentist can take time to explain the basics of oral hygiene and why it’s so important. Sometimes, a child just needs to hear information from someone other than their parents for it to finally click.
All in all, getting your child to practice oral hygiene on their own can be a bit of a challenge, but with the tips listed above, you can introduce a little fun that will make things go much smoother. And of course, if you ever need a helping hand, you can always reach out to your dentist in El Reno with questions or for more tips.
About the Author
Dr. Adam Cohlmia is a general and children’s dentist who currently practices at El Reno Family Dentistry. He and his team just love taking care of little smiles and helping them develop healthy habits that will serve them well into adulthood.
Do you have a child who just won’t brush? If so, Dr. Cohlmia is happy to help, so give us a call today.