Adults know that brushing their teeth is important to prevent tooth decay, but how do you get kids to appreciate the importance of this healthy habit? Here are four tips that can help you to pass a healthy brushing routine onto your children.
1. Teach the Correct Technique
Before you teach your kids how to brush, it is a good idea to check that you are doing it the right way yourself. Many adults have slipped into bad habits over the years, such as brushing for too little time or pressing too hard. The ideal brushing technique involves holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and making a gentle circling movement without applying much pressure. If you have an electric toothbrush, you don't even need to make the circles; simply hold your toothbrush against each tooth in turn and it will do the work for you. Practice this technique so you can demonstrate it to your children and get them into good habits right away.
2. Lead By Example
The best way to convince your kids that they really do need to brush twice a day, every day is for them to see you doing it too. Make brushing part of the family's bedtime routine by getting everyone together to do it all at the same time. This method should help to make kids feel like they are taking part in a group activity rather than being nagged at to do something they don't want to do.
3. Make It Fun
Technology offers plenty of ways to make tooth brushing fun for kids. One good way to help kids enjoy brushing is to buy them an electric toothbrush designed for children. Some brushes play tunes to help kids brush for the correct amount of time or give encouraging messages to kids who brush every day. If you don't want to buy a new toothbrush, another option is to play a song two minutes long on your phone to help your kids brush for the amount of time recommended by family dentists.
4. Choose an Appealing Toothpaste
Many children do not like the taste of mint, which is used to flavour most adult toothpaste. Kids toothpaste come in a much wider range of flavours, from strawberry to bubblegum, so you are sure to find something that your child enjoys. Make sure you choose a toothpaste that carries the seal of approval from the Australian Dental Association, which guarantees that the toothpaste contains all the ingredients necessary to keep your child's teeth healthy.
Speak with a family dentist for more ideas.
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