Kids Won’t Brush Their Teeth? Try These Suggestions!
Since the invention of the toothbrush, the struggle has always been the same: kids just don’t want to brush their teeth. If your child has been resisting the call of fluoride and floss, you’re not alone. At least 75% of parents claim their child doesn’t want to brush and doesn’t know why it’s important. Why are so many parents struggling, and what can we do to fix this?
Brushing and Flossing: An F-Tier Activity
When you get down to brass tacks, the truth is that kids just don’t enjoy brushing and flossing. Like every other chore, no matter how quick or simple it is, kids would rather spend the time outside, on their screens, or playing with toys. In their developing minds, brushing teeth is just an obstacle on the road to fun.
There’s also the fact that many children and teens just don’t grasp the benefits of oral hygiene. Preventing cavities and gum disease is a long commitment, and the consequences aren’t immediate or obvious. This can mean that maintaining good oral health is too abstract of a concept, creating a gap between themselves and the value of a good habit. As a parent, it can be hard to bridge this gap in a way that reaches your child.
What Can You Do?
If your kid just can’t be convinced to care about their pearly whites, maybe it’s time for a change of pace. Take a look at some of these suggestions:
- Have some family teeth time: Many habits and behaviors are learned communally, so perhaps all your kid needs is to see that adults have to brush their teeth too. Integrate teeth brushing, along with other parts of your morning and nightly routines, into family bonding time. It’ll be a great way to showcase good behaviors kids can emulate.
- Make it engaging: Combat brushing boredom by adding in some fun activities. If your kid feels like brushing is keeping them away from their screens, why not integrate screen time into their dental hygiene routine? If you’re also following the first suggestion, this will be a great way to supervise their screen time and get a better idea of your child’s viewing habits.
- Add a reward: A lot of kids are prize motivated. While you shouldn’t have sugar or other foods after brushing, there are plenty of ways to reward good oral hygiene. A little extra screen time can be a very effective reward for a full two minutes of brushing and flossing. You can also integrate a long-term reward with a tooth token jar. For every successful brushing session, your kid can add a chip to the jar. Once the jar is full, they’ve earned a new toy, game, special privilege, or maybe a little cash.
The Dentist Is Your Ally!
Our office works with kids of all ages, and our specialized training affords us a lot of resources to help motivate kids and aid their understanding of oral health. You don’t have to be alone when it comes to instilling good dental habits in your kids.
Smile Dental Clinics, located in Phoenix, AZ, does more than keep your teeth clean! We’re here to help. Get in contact with our office if you want us to clear up any questions. While we’ve got you, why not schedule a cleaning for yourself and your kids? We look forward to hearing from you soon!
