Preventative dental care is essential to help children build good dental habits at a young age.

Fortunately, the most important elements of dental hygiene are as simple as brushing and flossing your child’s teeth every day. For many parents, this is easier said than done. Most young children are uncomfortable with having their teeth brushed, and even those old enough to brush on their own may resist the routine.

However, with patience, time and creativity, you can help your child establish good dental habits to keep their smile bright and shining for for many years to come. Here are 5 easy tips to get your child to brush their teeth.

BRUSHING TEETH

Step 1: Make it Fun!

Have your child pick an electric toothbrush with their favorite cartoon characters. These are made specifically for small, developing mouths and seem more like toys than tools for oral hygiene to a small child.

Pick out several toothpaste flavors to try at home. While pediatric dentists agree toothpaste is not always necessary for toddlers, children may be more cooperative if they like the flavor. Popular flavors include bubble gum, strawberry and sparkle mint.

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Step 2: Set a Schedule

Set alarms on a phone or alarm clock to remind your child when it’s time to brush. Consistency is key when establishing habits. Eventually, your child will come to associate brushing their teeth with certain activities, such as getting ready for bed or finishing breakfast.

Step 3: Make Two Minutes Fly By

Brushing teeth should take two full minutes – that’s right: 120 seconds. Our dentists recommend using a favorite song or a stopwatch to help little ones keep track of the time.

Apps such as  Disney Magic Timer and Tooth Savers turn toothbrushing into a game. The Disney Magic Timer rewards kids for brushing longer. Tooth Savers is a fantasy adventure that progresses with each successful toothbrushing session.

Step 4: Don’t Wait until Late at Night

Help your child brush his or her teeth sooner in the evening rather than later. At the end of a long, tiring day, your child may not feel like brushing his or her teeth before bed. This will ensure they are awake and alert enough to notice the routine. It will also prevent them from falling asleep before they brush.

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Step 5: Model Good Habits

Synchronize your schedule with your child’s and brush together. Instilling good dental hygiene habits starts with your own routine. When they see you doing it, they’ll be more receptive to trying it themselves.

You can use this time to demonstrate proper techniques. Show your child how to use short, gentle strokes to clean their teeth. Kids Care dentists recommend brushing at a 45-degree angle to target the space between the teeth and gums – this is where germs and bacteria like to hide. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, as well!

Kids Care Dental Put’s Attention on Prevention

February is one of Kids Care’s favorite months of the year because it’s National Children’s Dental Health Month! This year, Kids Care Dental & Orthodontics is teaming up with local communities and schools to put attention on prevention! Energetic team members will be performing dozens of dental hygiene presentations to preschools and elementary schools in our community. If your class is interested in scheduling a presentation, contact them at marketing@kidscaredental.com

At Kids Care Dental & Orthodontics, they believe good oral health is important for a child’s overall health and happiness. That’s why they stress the importance of preventative care early on in childhood development to create healthy habits and smiles that will last a lifetime.

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Interested in more blog posts about children’s health? Check out our health related blog posts. If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in the Sacramento area, you can check out our huge list here.