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Must-Know Tips for Making Dental Care Fun for Kids

Fun Ideas for Daily Healthy Habits

By Daniela CanalesPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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From their first gummy grin to their senior portraits, your child’s smile undergoes quite the transformation through the years. In my practice, I have the privilege of looking after young patients as well as adults. To ensure their teeth remain cavity-free and their gums stay healthy, it’s of the utmost importance that you help your child learn to care for their smile at home. However, that task can be difficult, especially in the early years. To make that process as seamless as possible, keep reading for a few must-know tips for making dental health fun for kids!

Tip #1. Let Them Pick Their Toothbrush

Caring for your child’s smile at home requires the right tools, starting with a good toothbrush. Thanks to the internet, you can easily find ones that have a much-loved character, their favorite animal, or a cool pattern on them (with quick shipping, too!). Letting them have a choice in their toothbrush can help them feel that they aren’t being forced to brush. Just make sure that it has soft bristles and that you replace it every three to four months.

Tip #2. Read Them Books About Dental Health

At first, the concept of caring for their teeth may seem foreign to your little one. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to introduce the concept in a relatable way, like through a book! Classics like The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist, Little Critter’s Just Going to the Dentist, and ABC Dentist: Healthy Teeth from A to Z are a great place to start.

Tip #3. Find a 2 Minute Song to Play While They Brush

Brushing for two full minutes is important for thoroughly removing plaque, food particles, and bacteria in all the nooks and crannies of the mouth. To keep your child on track, try playing a fun tune that is reserved specifically for their morning and nighttime oral hygiene routine. Just make sure they don’t get too distracted and that they continue to truly brush their teeth the whole time.

Tip #4. Use a Reward System

Since brushing their teeth isn’t exactly the most exciting activity, your child may need a little extra encouragement to keep up their dental care regimen. How can you keep them motivated to this daily routine? Use a reward system! You can hang a chart in the bathroom and provide them with a star sticker for each time they brush their teeth properly. After a certain amount of time—perhaps one or two weeks—give them some kind of reward, preferably not a sugary treat. The reward doesn’t have to be big or fancy but something your child will appreciate. Not only will this help them visualize their progress, but it will also provide some motivation to keep up the good work!

Tip #5. Use an App

It seems there is an app out there for anything and everything you could possibly need. So it may not surprise you at all to learn that there are apps specifically to help kids with dental health. While some have games where your child can treat cavities and stop bacteria, others instruct proper technique and time their brushing. Examples of apps to look into include the Disney Magic Timer and Colgate Tooth Fairy.

Tip #6. Play Dental Hero

Everyone loves a good hero story. Turn daily brushing into an adventure by making your child a superhero. You can set the story up so that they’re fighting the nasty villains (cavities and bacteria) and saving the day.

Brushing their teeth shouldn’t have to be a dreaded chore for your child or for you. Instead, help them look forward to caring for their smile by incorporating the above tips! That way, they can continue enjoying a healthy, strong smile well into adulthood.

About the Practice

At Avion Dental & Orthodontics, your child can enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere, a 100% bilingual team, evening and weekend hours, and, of course, quality dentistry. Our team of exceptional dentists want your child to enjoy a healthy, happy smile throughout the years, which is why we are proud to provide everything from preventive care and restorative services to orthodontics all at our office. If you are looking for a dentist for your child or are simply interested in learning more about dental health for kids, don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 972-807-9887.

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