If you find yourself battling your kids to brush their teeth, you are not alone. Brushing teeth is an activity that kids don’t always greet with enthusiasm.

However, establishing a morning and night time brushing routine with your little one is important as it helps develop good oral hygiene and is one of those necessary life skills every child needs to learn.

Breakthrough your child’s resistance by implementing these fun ways that will make the experience of brushing their teeth a positive one. 

Reward good brushing behaviour

Whether it’s stickers or allowing your child to choose what’s for dinner, figure out what motivates your little one. If it's stickers, make a reward chart in the bathroom and allow them to put up a fun sticker every time they brush.

If you’ve decided to let your kids choose what’s for dinner, picking what to eat for the whole family is not only fun but will feel like a ‘big-kid’ task and they will feel proud in obtaining that role. Also, a simple praise like, “I’m so proud of you,” included with a smile and a huge high five may be enough to encourage good brushing behaviour.

Model good behaviour

Do you remember thinking your parents were superheroes when you were little? Well, believe it or not, your kid loves you and looks up to you just like you did to your parents. So, when you brush your teeth, be happy that you're doing it! Make it look like a good time, and your child will want to join in on the fun.

Sing a song or set a timer

Turn up your child’s favourite song and make brushing an event. Incorporating songs like, "The toothbrush in the mouth goes round and round" can increase the level of fun and reinforces the routine. Set a timer for every song so your child knows they’ve completed their two minutes of brushing.

In addition, you can read two minutes of your child’s favourite story using all of your best voices. Whatever you do, get creative to make sure that brushing is always a fun experience.

Pick fun cleaning tools

Who is the character your child can’t get enough of? Is it a superhero or a character from Frozen? Many children’s shows and books have created characters that your child may feel connected to or admire.

Take your kids shopping and let them pick out a themed toothbrush, or visit Thompson Valley Dental for both a check-up and your choice of brush. Also, lots of the time brands have ‘special’ tubes of toothpaste with fun flavours or added sparkle. 

When a task is made fun, it seems easier to complete rather than seeming like a chore. So to help fight off cavities, make brushing teeth fun for your children. When brushing is fun, it gets done!

Thompson Valley Dental is a general practice that provides cosmetic and restorative dental services in Kamloops. The clinic is dedicated to helping children and adults improve their smiles by giving efficient and knowledgeable care.