Ways to Make Brushing and Flossing Fun!
 Your child’s primary (baby) teeth are not just temporary teeth while you wait for their adult, permanent teeth come in. They serve a really important purpose in your child’s mouth and play a very important role in the oral development of your little one. For starters, healthy teeth can make good nutrition easier for your child. It can also help improve speech and make it easier for them to learn to speak clearly.
They also serve as a placeholder for their permanent teeth and can help them come in without complications. Teaching your child how to brush and floss properly can help ensure a healthy mouth later on in life. We here at Puget Sound Pediatric Dentistry love our young patients and enjoy nothing more than helping them develop a happy and healthy smile that can last them a lifetime!
Making Brushing Fun for Kids
Even adults can struggle with making sure they brush their teeth often or thoroughly enough. With that in mind, it is easy to be sympathetic to young children who are just learning to brush and floss. To them, the required two minutes that they need to ensure their mouth is clean both morning and night can seem like an eternity.
To help make it easier for them, you can try some of these tips and tricks to help make brushing more enjoyable for them. One good way you can encourage them to brush more often and for long enough is to include them in picking out their toothbrush. Many toothbrushes come with cartoon characters or superheroes on them, which can make your child look forward to brushing.
You can also make it seem more like a game, and play along with them as they brush. Encourage them as they brush their teeth, and cheer them on for a job well done. You can also let them pick out a toothbrush for their favorite stuffed animal or doll and let them practice brushing their toy’s teeth.
There are also apps that you can download that play fun music and jingles to help pass the time while they brush. They may have little cartoon characters that talk to your child and can be a fun way to help motivate them to brush.
How to Make Flossing Fun for Kids
Flossing can be a challenge for children, especially as they learn motor control skills. Some young patients may find flossing difficult, and it can be hard to wind dental floss around small fingers. For these children, it is important to be patient and keep encouraging them. One way you can help them floss is by allowing them to pick out their dental floss. This can make it more fun, and because floss can come in fun flavors, they may be more motivated to floss properly.
Flossing can also be a family event, with everyone flossing together at the same time. If you find that your child is still resistant to flossing regularly, you can encourage them with little rewards like stickers. This can help make them more excited about good oral hygiene.
Always make sure you supervise children, especially if they are under the age of eight. You will want to watch them make sure they are brushing long enough, flossing properly, and spitting carefully, so they do not accidentally swallow any toothpaste. If you would like to learn more about teaching your kid how to brush and floss properly, or you are ready to set up an appointment with us here at Puget Sound Pediatric Dentistry, please give us a call today at 360-659-8100, 360-863-8700, 425-367-4149, 360-339-8000!
|
