How To Make Brushing Less Of A Chore

It can be really difficult to get your kids to do anything that isn’t “fun.” Unfortunately this can sometimes include brushing their teeth. Great Outdoors Pediatric Dentistry has a few tips for parents on ways to make teeth-brushing a little less of a chore!

• Make it a game – A great way to teach a child how to do something is by participating with them. Prepare your toothbrush and your child’s and then have a contest to see who can get their teeth the very shiniest! (Hint – kids like to win!)
• Turn it into a song – Add some rhyming words to a catchy tune and kids will pay attention. There are lots of simple little tunes and it’s easy to add some words. Including your child’s name can make it even more fun! Here’s an example:
  Sung to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” – Brush, brush, brush your teeth, brush them ‘til they gleam! Brush the fronts and brush the backs and brush them in between!
• Use the tooth fairy to your advantage – The tooth fair can be used in order to encourage and validate good oral hygiene habits. Make sure that your tooth fairy tradition includes the fact that the tooth fairy will only leave rewards for the healthy teeth that your kids lose!
• Download a mobile app – There are dozens and dozens of tooth-brushing apps that can be downloaded to your phone. They use your child’s favorite television characters, superhero or Disney princess to encourage brushing and make sure it’s done for the full two minutes recommended by the American Dental Association.

No matter which one (or a combination) of the above that you decide to use, make sure that your child is brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day. The most important way to keep your kids’ teeth healthy is by bringing them in for regular cleanings and dental checkups, so be sure to bring them in to Great Outdoors Pediatric Dentistry, located in Dover, New Hampshire.