Does it seem like your kids are waging war on dental hygiene? Without being overdramatic, chances are they just think there’s something much more exciting they could be doing with their time. So, before you lose all hope, the team at Mark Stephens DMD is here to help. Mark Stephens DMD has helped hundreds of Kentucky residences with teeth cleaning, dental crown options and emergency dental procedures. As a family dentistry practice, they know that parents everywhere are combating resistance to brushing and flossing. But don’t despair! Here are their favorite tricks for chasing away brushing blues.

When you want to turn the brushing chore into something more, try:

• Fun & Games: If your kids haven’t told you that they hate brushing and flossing, you can probably still get away with adding some fun games into the mix. Turn your child into a caped crusader against the monster germs in their mouth to save the town of “Toothiness.”
• Getting in Gear: Take your little one to the store and have them pick out fun superhero or princess brushes to try at home. You can also pick out tasty toothpastes for kids, and when it’s time for brushing, have them put the toothpaste on the brush. It’s a great way for them to participate and learn how to apply the pea-size amount of paste to their brush.
• Sing-a-Long: Because so many parents have faced the same dilemmas, there are hundreds of songs to encourage kiddies to brush away pesky plaque. As with everything else, using music is a good way to motivate children. You won’t be disappointed.
• Better Together: Your kids will appreciate the company. Participating in games and sing-a-longs is so much more fun when a parent joins in on the brushing and flossing. You can take turns brushing each other’s teeth, set an egg timer and see how much brushing you can accomplish in 30-second intervals. Breaking down the recommended two-minutes of brushing into shorter periods has shown to work wonders with short attention spans.

Above all, make brushing a time of fun and shower children with lots of compliments on their pearly whites. And for all the times when you need a family-friendly dentist, call Mark Stephens DMD at (859) 626-0069 or visit their offices online for more information.