One of the most challenging habits you will have to help your child build is brushing his or her teeth on a regular basis. At some point, you will be able to trust that your child will do it without prompting, but until then, you have to stay on top of his or her daily dental routine. If you are having trouble with convincing your child to brush his or her teeth, here are some tips you can use to encourage it.
Let Your Child Pick His or Her Toothbrush
It might be easier to just pick a toothbrush for your child, but doing that robs your child of the full dental hygiene experience. The more you involve your child in the process, the more likely he or she is to brush on a regular basis.
When it is time to shop for a new brush, do not restrict your child from selecting a brush that appeals to him or her. A cartoon character designed brush or one that plays music can be great motivators for young children. As long as the brush meets the standards set by your family dentist, your child's brush selection will work.
Download an App
Technology is likely a major part of your child's life. You can take advantage of this by using a dental app on a cell phone or tablet. There are various apps available that can help with managing your child's dental care.
When you are looking for an apps, try to focus on apps that have characters that your child can customize that offer some sort of reward for regularly brushing. For instance, an app that rewards points for brushing that can be exchanged for other games or in-game features would be a great motivator. To get the most from an app, look for one that offers a timer for use while brushing.
Model Good Dental Care
Your child looks up to you and will model your behavior. If your child sees you brushing and flossing on a regular basis, he or she will be more likely to do it, too.
When it is time to brush and floss, make it a family affair. Let your child set the timer for brushing and brush with him or her at the same time. As you brush, you can provide verbal encouragement and praise to your child.
Your family dentist can help you find other creative ways to encourage your child to brush his or her teeth. Visit a site like http://www.cresthillfamilydental.com for more help.
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