As a parent, there are times when your child may start to get bored with brushing and flossing their pearly whites. A couple of factors come into play here, including sensory issues as well as a heightened need for independence and a change in routine. Your little one may also feel they’re “forced” to brush and floss. The solution? Make brushing and flossing teeth fun for your child.
Sycamore-based orthodontist Dr. Peter Barysenka and pediatric dentist Dr. Sarah Barysenka of Sycamore Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry share some helpful tips for freshening up your child’s brushing and flossing routine.
Give Your Kids Agency
- Brushing: Children have every right to exercise agency over their preferences. Most toothbrushes for kids sport fun designs and colors or feature prints of cartoon characters from popular media franchises like Disney.
The next time you shop for a new toothbrush, Dr. Peter Barysenka and Dr. Sarah Barysenka recommend letting your child choose their toothbrush this time. Not only does it make toothbrush shopping fun and engaging, but it also motivates your child to brush their teeth at least twice a day.
This also applies to their choice of toothpaste. While children’s toothpaste comes in mouthwatering flavors, you should go for those rich in fluoride to strengthen and protect your little one’s pearly whites from cavities. If you’re having trouble choosing the right toothpaste, feel free to ask our experienced team for suggestions.
- Flossing: Thinking of getting your child the same floss you use? You might want to think again! In our opinion, that’s not a good idea. With plenty of kid-friendly floss in stores, there’s no reason for you to stop your child from making their own choices.
Like toothpaste, floss is available in different colors and flavors. Floss picks and water flossers are good alternatives to conventional dental floss, as they make flossing a breeze for your child. As always, you can consult our expert team for recommendations.
Play Music, Podcasts, or Videos
- Brushing: As a rule of thumb, children (and even adults) must brush their teeth for two to three minutes. For some kids, this feels like an eternity. Others may get bored of brushing their teeth, which is not good as they’re putting themselves at risk of cavities. Thankfully, there’s one foolproof way to shake things up: music.
You and your child can create a toothbrush playlist containing several upbeat two- to three-minute songs. This way, your kiddo can dance — or more like brush — to the beat of their favorite tunes, making time go by faster. To put it simply: One track = One brushing session.
- Flossing: On average, flossing only takes one to two minutes. However, for children and first-timers, this isn’t a feasible timeframe. To add a bit of zest to your child’s flossing game, you can compile a playlist of age-appropriate podcasts or videos. Because flossing takes a lot of time, podcasts and videos are a great source of entertainment for your child.
Implement A Rewards System
Positive reinforcement in the form of a rewards system goes a long way in helping your kid maintain a consistent brushing and flossing routine. To give you an idea, try using the classic sticker system. Here’s how it works:
- Creation of the Rewards Chart: Create a rewards chart containing your child or children’s names, the days of the week, and your family’s preferred schedule for brushing and flossing. There are some printable templates online, too. Once you’ve got your template, you’ll want to display the chart in the bathroom where your child can see it.
- Sticker Pasting: Each sticker should be as unique for each child as possible. After brushing or flossing, your child can paste a sticker on the reward chart for easier progress tracking.
- Sticker Accumulation and Prizes: Prizes can range from toys to a trip to your child’s favorite place. You can display the prize list along with the rewards chart. The list should contain not just the prizes themselves but also the “cost” of redeeming them.
For example — if your child wants a new toy — they must save 50 stickers. You can also encourage your child to save up for a bigger prize.
It doesn’t matter how you’ve designed your rewards system. What matters most is your child’s ability to value delayed gratification and the fact that good oral hygiene is rewarded with cleaner and healthier teeth.
Though there might not be any more stickers in adulthood, your child will remember not to take their oral health for granted.
Reignite the Excitement of Brushing and Flossing
Oral health is vital in every stage of life. When your child doesn’t take care of their teeth, they’re more likely to develop cavities and tooth decay. But with our tips, your little one will find excitement, or even passion, in maintaining their oral health at home and beyond.
If your kiddo needs orthodontic or dental help, don’t hesitate to contact our office in Sycamore. Our team will be happy to help your child achieve their smile goals at a young age.