Do your kids run away when you whip out the toothbrush? Is it more like pulling teeth than brushing teeth? For some reason, brushing their teeth is one of those activities that many kids aren’t that keen on. But a good tooth-brushing routine is important to help kids combat tooth decay and develop a lifetime of good oral hygiene.

Here are some tips and tricks you can use to get your children to brush their teeth properly.

1. Bugs and zombie teeth

Talk about why they need to brush. It can be how the sugar bugs make holes in their teeth if they don’t brush or how they’ll turn green and rot…whatever works for your kids (be careful: some kids may actually want to see their teeth rot…explain that this is bad and can make them sick).

2. Race cars and trains

Teach them that their brush strokes should be like train or race car wheels. They should be using big circles in massaging strokes – round and round instead of back and forth.

3. Game of teeth

Turn the task into a game: play a song and see who can brush for the full duration. You can even see who has the most brushing motions in a set amount of time. There are lots of ways to give them a little more motivation to brush.

4. Child’s choice

Let them choose a  toothpaste and a brush they want to use. If they have a favourite character or colour, try to get them a toothbrush to match…they’re more likely to use something they like.

5. Compliment your kids

Praise your kids when they do it, especially when they do it with the correct strokes and for two solid minutes. A little praise goes a long way

If your child continues to resist brushing properly or brushing at all, don’t be afraid to ask for help from their dentist. Sometimes hearing it from someone other than their parents makes kids listen.

Well.ca

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