Tips for getting your Kids to Brush their Teeth
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As a parent, you know it is important for your children to brush their teeth. You want to avoid decay, cavities and other dental problems that can occur as a result of poor dental hygiene. Of course, explaining this to your child may not be as useful. Try the following tips for getting your children to brush their teeth.
Do it together
Your children may be more likely to brush their teeth if you do it with them. Many kids learn by example from their parents. Show them how you do it and for how long. It will also be a good way for you to make sure that it gets done.
Get them a fun toothbrush
Gone are the days when all of the toothbrushes looked very similar, differing by little more than color. Now they make many fun toothbrushes for kids. A lot of them spin. Many of them have characters such as Dora the Explorer, Cinderella and Spiderman. Some of them play music. Some of them will let you know when two minutes are up. There is even one that comes with a bunch of stickers so that you can decorate the toothbrush as a craft. Go with your child to pick out a toothbrush and he or she may be more likely to brush their teeth. You can also look for a nice natural and good-tasting toothpaste.
Make it part of a routine
Your children may be more likely to brush their teeth if it is just part of a routine for them. It can be right before they listen to their story. Following the teeth-brushing with something nice can make them more likely to do it because you can tell them that they will lose part of that time if they procrastinate with the teeth brushing.
Make it fun
You can make up a song and dance that they can do while brushing their teeth. You can have them dance to it while they brush. You can also make it into a game as far who can start to brush their teeth the fastest (although not who can end the fastest).
Praise them
It is amazing how powerful a few words of praise can be for a child. If you always give this when they are done, they may be more likely to brush.
It is important for you to encourage your children to brush their teeth. The above strategies may be helpful in helping them to do so.