Beyond regular dentist appointments, brushing is the most crucial aspect of preventive dentistry care for your children. However, even though it prevents cavities, freshens breath, and keeps their gums healthy, it’s probably not their favorite activity. Follow the steps below to help make brushing enjoyable for them, so they stay on top of their oral health.

How to Get Your Kids to Enjoy Brushing

1. Create a Reward System

A reward system will give your child an incentive to brush and encourage them to get into the habit of brushing daily. You can offer daily rewards like letting them pick out their snacks for the next day. You can also set milestone rewards for streaks, like taking them to an event or having a sleepover if they brush twice daily for two weeks. Tailor the prize to what your child likes and note their brushing habits on a calendar so they can track their progress.

2. Let Them Choose Their Supplies

Allowing your child to pick their own brushing supplies gives them an element of control over their routine. They can select their flavors of toothpaste and mouthwash, and they can choose a brush with their favorite color or cartoon character on it, which will encourage them to enjoy brushing their teeth.

3. Play Music While Brushing

If your child likes music, play their favorite song while they’re brushing their teeth. Let them pick the song each time. This will make the activity go by faster for them, and will help you to make sure they’re brushing as long as recommended since you can watch the timer on the song.

They can dance while they brush to increase the fun, but make sure they’re brushing correctly while they do.

4. Join Them

Try brushing your teeth with your kid. Instead of it being an activity your child has to do alone, it becomes an activity that you get to do together.

This practice sets a good example for them, gives them more time with you, and shows them it’s a task you take seriously, which will encourage them to do the same. Supervision also ensures they’re being as thorough and brushing as long as they should be, so they get in the habit of doing it correctly in the future.

If your child needs a friendly dentist who will care for their teeth and offer brushing advice, reach out to Daniel M. Hamrick, DDS, in China Grove, NC. Serving Rowan County since 1981, their licensed and certified family dentistry team offers comprehensive care for your children’s teeth, including cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dentistry. Check out their family dentistry services online, and call (704) 857-7497 to schedule an appointment with this kid-friendly dentist.