How to Make Brushing and Flossing a Game Your Kids Will Love
From the First Teeth to Toddlerhood
When those little teeth come in, it’s time for that daily brushing and flossing routine to begin! It’s officially time to brush those little teeth, no matter how many of them there are, for two minutes twice a day. If two teeth are together, pull out that floss too, and floss at least once per day.
You go from choosing the right toothbrush for your child’s age to chasing them down in hopes they’ll let you work on those teeth at all. So what are you supposed to do when that adorable baby becomes a chaotic toddler who doesn’t want to sit still long enough to brush for 10 seconds, let alone two minutes?
We have some ideas to make toothbrushing fun for the whole family! Turning oral care into a game can help build those lasting habits, which is the perfect way to gear your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Use a toothbrushing timer.
Never underestimate the power of some good music! Get yourself a kitchen timer and turn on some of your child’s favorite music. Challenge your children to brush all of their teeth until that song ends! If you have multiple kids, this is a great game. The winner is the one who doesn’t stop until the timer goes off. The competition is on!
Create a brushing and flossing chart.
Reward charts are a favorite of adults and children alike. You can print out a fun one online, or just draw some lines on a blank sheet of paper. Whatever method you choose, get your children some fun stamps or stickers. Each time they complete a tooth-brushing session, they get to fill in another square. When they reach seven days, they get a reward.
Feel free to adjust the reward system to meet the needs of your family. If five days works better, do that! If you want to do a larger reward at the end of an entire month, try that instead. This method is completely customizable!
Turn it into a story or adventure.
If you have a child who likes to play pretend, make toothbrushing time into story time! Act out a story—the sillier the better. You can pretend that the plaque is the “villain” and the toothbrush is the “hero.” Have them chase each other through the teeth, whisking the villain away until another day. When it comes time to floss, you can make that the “super tool” that saves the day when the plaque manages to hide away.
It’s team brushing time.
Never underestimate the power of making something as simple as brushing your teeth a family activity. Keep your kids’ toothbrushes in your bathroom and make toothbrushing together part of the family routine. You can have the kids race mom and dad, but make sure they still do the full two minutes so those teeth are shining and clean.
Even if it doesn’t turn into a game, brushing together helps it become a habit. Within no time, it will become a completely normal part of their daily routine. This skill will last them into adulthood, setting them up for success with their oral health.
Incorporate technology.
Technology has its helpful moments. You can use kid-friendly dental care apps such as Disney’s Magic Timer to help motivate your children to brush their teeth. If using apps isn’t quite your style, you can opt for smart toothbrushes. Some of these toothbrushes even come with their own app or game system to help keep your children interested in the task at hand.
Using any of these options will help you track your child’s progress over time. Be sure to celebrate all of those achievements! Each one of them is one step closer to a healthy smile for life.
Don’t forget the dentist!
When it comes to ensuring your child has a healthy smile that will last them a lifetime, brushing and flossing their teeth daily is a great first step. Feel free to incorporate technology wherever you might want to make it more enjoyable. Bonus points: It makes it easier to track that progress! Make toothbrushing a family affair to really get the habit ingrained in your children, make a toothbrushing chart, or turn it into an exciting story! Feel free to use a combination of tactics, or just pick the one that suits your family best. Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what excites your child the most!
Remember, another important step to keeping those teeth shining and bright throughout life is by bringing your kids to see the dentist for their bi-annual dental cleanings. The staff here at Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry is here to help spot any issues before they have a chance to get out of hand. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment, you can do so in just a few easy clicks!
