Fun Ways to Get Your Kids to Brush and Floss Their Teeth

Tooth decay is far too prevalent in American children. Did you know that roughly 42% of kids aged 2 to 11 have tooth decay on their primary teeth? This is going to result in cavities and other major dental issues as they get older.

The good news is that regular brushing and flossing can help promote oral health. The bad news is that children are not always eager to take care of their teeth.

Read on to learn fun ways to get your children to brush and floss. Explore effective strategies to promote oral health that will make your next dental visit go smoothly.

Rewards Charts

Incentivizing children to do the right thing is a tried-and-true strategy. One way to do this is by hanging a rewards chart in the bathroom.

Here, they track every time they brush or floss their teeth. Pediatric dentists recommend that children brush and floss twice per day. This means there are four slots on the chart for each day of the week.

Once your child finishes their task, apply a sticker to visualize the progress they are making. Next, set a target with a reward associated with it. When your child accumulates 100 stickers, for example, they can buy a toy at the store or plan a fun play date.

A points system works in a similar fashion. In this system, they earn points for every positive oral health task completed. Like the rewards chart, the goal is to earn enough points to receive a prize.

Playing Music

For many children, it is a chore to floss or brush their teeth. You can make it fun by adding some dancing and music to the bathroom.

Plug in your speaker or play a song on your phone. Then, start to dance and have a great time.

It is also effective to have your child brush their teeth for the duration of the song. Many children do not brush long enough, and most songs are long enough to ensure they do a good job.

Join In on the Fun

Many children are left unsupervised when brushing their teeth. This leads to a poor job brushing or failing to do it all together.

One of the best things to do is brush and floss with your child. You need to do it anyway, so why not bond with your child at the same time?

For starters, you are setting a good example by joining in. It is also going to be more fun for your child if they have a partner to dance and laugh with.

Fun Ways to Help Your Child Brush and Floss Their Teeth

You now have a few different ways to encourage brushing and flossing. There are many tricks out there and creativity is key. The more you make it fun, the less resistance you will face.

Incentivizing good behavior and adding music to your child’s routine are proven tactics. If you want to learn more tips about getting your child to brush and floss, contact us today to speak with a dental professional.