It can be a challenge to get your children to practice good dental care, but baby teeth still need just as much care as adult ones do. Keeping kids interested in the health of their teeth just takes a bit of creativity. Here are a few tips to give you an idea of how to make brushing and flossing fun for the whole family.

How to Encourage Dental Care for Kids

1. Explain Why They Should Brush

Kids are going through life on a steep learning curve, and they want to know as much as they can. Help them get interested in their own oral hygiene by explaining the importance of dental care and what happens when they do or don’t take care of their teeth.

2. Make It a Game

You can set a two-minute timer and challenge your kids to brush until the alarm goes off. Play a game of Simon Says, or brush alongside them and have them imitate you. Whatever you do, try to make it fun for them.

3. Tell Stories

Stories are a perfect way to distract your kids from what they’re actually doing. Come up with a story that you can continue every time they brush or floss, and leave it on a cliffhanger at the end of each session to get them looking forward to the next time.

4. Provide Options

Let your kids pick out what kind of toothbrush and toothpaste they want to use. Even if regular brushing and flossing aren’t necessarily optional, this gives them a sense of freedom and initiative in their own dental care.

5. Use a Reward System

Consider making a board or jar where your kids can collect stickers or tokens to trade in for prizes. They can use the promise of a reward for the incentive to do activities like brushing for a full two minutes or flossing several days in a row.

Helping your kids learn to love dental care starts at home, but it doesn’t end there. Alaska Dentistry for Kids provides gentle care and attention to children in Anchorage. Visit their website or call (907) 274-2525 to learn more about the special services they provide, such as emergency dentistry or sedation. Follow them on Facebook for more dental tips and tricks.