Let's Brush!

Getting kids excited about brushing their teeth and taking care of their oral health seems impossible for many parents. It can be a challenge to get your kids to enjoy brushing, flossing, and going to the dentist, but it doesn’t have to be! There are some easy ways to get your kids to care more about their oral health.

Make it part of the daily routine.

This is really the most important step to start getting your toddler practicing good brushing. Make sure you include brushing teeth as a main part of your morning or bedtime routines. Kids need consistency to learn pretty much anything so whether that means setting a timer for them to brush right before the bath-books-bedtime routine or reminding them to do so in the morning, make brushing part of their normal schedule so they can get used to it.

Brush twice a day — and make it fun!

Make sure kids are brushing in the morning and at night. To make it fun, use products, like toothbrushes and toothpastes that are colorful and feature their favorite characters. Also try adding a fun, memorable song is an easy way to get your kids more excited about brushing. Use a twist of a familiar song like “Brush, brush, brush your teeth, every single day.” instead of “Row, row, row your boat.” 

Model behavior.

Okay, this is an important step most parents sometimes forget. Because it seems so basic. We often just tell our kids to brush their teeth, pointing to where they should brush. But when you start to actually brush your own teeth at the same time your kids were brushing, you’ll find that it helped them better understand how to do it. Modeling is so important!

Add incentives & limit the sugary snacks. 
People use reward charts for almost everything in their homes. Potty-training, behavior issues and meal times. It’s a no-brainer to add brushing teeth to the list. Limit sugary and acidic foods that can wear away tooth enamel and contribute to cavities. Fruits, cheeses, and yogurt are just some examples of healthy snacks that don’t pose a big risk for little teeth.