Nothing warms a parent's heart more than seeing their little one's precious smile! Starting good dental habits early on is one of the best ways to protect your child's healthy smile and set them up for excellent dental health for a lifetime.
Sometimes, motivating your child to brush and floss at home is hard, but creative parents can help promote good dental health with a few fun ideas. Here's what you should know.
#1 Choose Your Tools
Let your child pick out their toothbrush and toothpaste according to their liking. Toothbrushes come in all colors or with fun characters on them. Having your little one participate in choosing the dental tools they like will help them be more invested in their brushing and flossing routine.
#2 Make Brushing Fun
You can make brushing fun by playing a song or starting a timer to help your children brush for at least two-minute sessions. Some electric toothbrushes time your child and tell them when to move to the next quadrant until two minutes is completed.
#3 Create an Incentive Chart
Children may be more motivated to brush and floss every day when they can see their progress. Create a chart with fun stickers they can add each time they brush for two minutes, floss, or mark days off on a calendar or whiteboard.
When they complete a full week of two-minute brushing each day, come up with a small reward, like ice cream or sugar-free chewing gum.
#4 Lead By Example
Let your child brush and floss with you so you can demonstrate proper techniques. They may feel more motivated to brush and floss when they get to do it with you!
Is it time for your little one's next dental appointment? Contact your pediatric dentist in Houston, TX, at (713) 956-8767 to schedule.