Dentists urge parents to get their kids excited about dental care as early as possible. Not only does it ensure a lifetime of healthy habits, but it also makes tasks like dental exams and daily brushing and flossing much easier to manage for children of all ages. If you’re hoping to establish a strong foundation of dental hygiene for your little one, try the tricks below. 

How to Get Your Child Excited About Brushing & Flossing

1. Offer Rewards

While direct bribes may not be the best approach, a few modest incentives can go a long way to promoting proper practices. Even small gifts like golden stickers on a chart for every thorough brushing session can help establish a positive attitude towards cleanliness. A small toy or a few extra dollars for allowance are also excellent ways to acknowledge your child’s progress. Offer larger prizes for meeting long-term goals, like brushing twice daily and flossing once a night consistently between dentist visits. Steer clear of sugary awards, however, since these undermine oral health. 

2. Brush Together

For young children, make daily brushing an activity the whole family does together. This allows you to lead by example and show your child just how dedicated you are to dental care. Sing songs while brushing or play music to illustrate how long your child needs to brush — dentists recommend two minutes or longer per session. When you make dental care fun, your child will be far more motivated to participate in daily brushing.

3. Let Your Child Choose

Let your child pick their brush. There are many easy-to-hold, soft-bristle varieties that come in the shapes of beloved cartoon characters, or that have eye-catching sparkles and plastic gems. Let them pick their own kid-friendly toothpaste tastes, like bubblegum, strawberry, or orange. Even floss comes in bright colors and sweet flavors like grape, cardamom, and cupcake. When your child looks forward to this part of the brushing process, they’ll be more motivated to stick with it. 

With more than two decades of experience, dentist Joy K. Lunan DDS and the rest of her dental team know how to get kids motivated about oral health. Located in Middlebury, CT, this dental office is well-equipped to treat patients of all ages. Pediatric services include teeth cleanings, exams, sealants, and fluoride treatments. Schedule an appointment for you or a loved one today by calling (203) 598-7920. If you’d like to see the complete listing of procedures, visit the website.