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Did you know that about 20 percent of children between five and 11 years old suffer from tooth decay? Most parents understand that instilling good brushing habits in young children is important for lifelong oral health, but don\u2019t know how to get kids to brush their teeth.<\/p>\n
Many young children don\u2019t like brushing their teeth when they\u2019re introduced to it. While this can lead to skirmishes every morning and bedtime, it doesn\u2019t have to. Rather than struggle with your child, adopt strategies that encourage him to brush.<\/p>\n
Start by letting your child choose her own toothbrush and toothpaste. This gives them control over the process, and can also make brushing fun. It\u2019s always more fun to brush with a toothbrush decorated with a favorite character or toothpaste with a preferred flavor. Make sure products bear the ADA seal to ensure they meet standards, but other than that, put your kid in the driver\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n
An ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste is important, but don\u2019t insist on it if your child doesn\u2019t like it. Toothpaste can make kids gag or want to spit, which makes brushing unpleasant. If your child brushes better with just water, let him! It\u2019s better to instill the habit and move on to including toothpaste later!<\/p>\n
Make a game out of it! When my daughter is brushing, we like to pretend that she\u2019s a puppy. We\u2019ll start by having her \u201cobey\u201d commands, laying down, rolling over and shaking my hand. Then I help the puppy brush her teeth.<\/p>\n
As with most activities with children, setting a routine will make getting kids to brush their teeth easier. Work brushing into the morning and bedtime routine, and place it in the same order: Brush teeth in the morning between getting dressed and eating breakfast, and at night after changing into pajamas and hearing a bedtime story. Brush before stories, not after so kids aren\u2019t tired out.<\/p>\n
Make part of your routine reinforcing the importance of brushing for at least two minutes. Don\u2019t rely on a timer, though! Most songs are at least two minutes long, so let your child choose her favorite song to accompany brushing time, and encourage them to brush for the duration of the song. I like to play \u201cName that Tune\u201d with my Toddler: I\u2019ll hum a song such as \u201cTwinkle, Twinkle Little Star,\u201d and she\u2019ll guess it.<\/p>\n
Rewards are always a great tool for encouraging positive behavior, and brushing teeth is no exception. Make a reward that suits your child\u2019s likes \u2013 some children love stickers, while others will make time to brush if they get an extra bedtime story.<\/p>\n
With younger children, it works best to allow kids to brush first, then have mom or dad help to make sure teeth are getting a thorough brushing. My little one loves to lay down as I sit on the floor, and lean her head back into my lap as I take my turn brushing her teeth.<\/p>\n
Finding ways to get kids to brush their teeth doesn\u2019t have to be a battle! Start inspiring positive habits when your child is young for a lifetime of positive oral health.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Did you know that about 20 percent of children between five and 11 years old suffer from tooth decay? Most parents understand that instilling good brushing habits in young children is important for lifelong oral health, but don\u2019t know how to get kids to brush their teeth. Many young children don\u2019t like brushing their teeth […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1979","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mesa-roth-dds","category-oral-health-care"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n