Do your kids voluntarily brush and floss their teeth? The fact is, most kids don’t. Parents often feel like they have to constantly nag their children to brush their teeth and floss daily. However, oral hygiene doesn’t have to be a hassle. There are ways to make it fun for kids so that they learn how to care for their teeth with a positive attitude.
Daily oral hygiene is a crucial part of preventive dental care, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Good habits established during childhood will carry into adulthood for a lifetime of optimal oral health and wellness.
Here are some tried and true ways to make brushing and flossing fun for kids.
Let Them Choose Their Toothbrush
Start by letting your child pick out a toothbrush they like. Whether it's their favorite color or has a fun character from a TV show or movie they like, it can help them get excited about brushing their teeth. Children’s toothbrushes come in all sorts of designs and features. Some light up for 2 minutes so that kids know how long to brush. Electric toothbrushes can make it easier for kids to brush their teeth effectively, as it provides an even pressure across all of the teeth.
Use a Toothbrush Timer
Dentists recommend brushing for at least 2 minutes at a time. In order to achieve this, it can help to use a timer. There are many different timers available from small battery powered ones to toothbrushes with built-in timers. Here is a video kids can use to time their brushing: https://www.rioranchochildrensdentistry.com/patient-info/brush-timer/.
Purchase Toothpaste With a Kid-Friendly Flavor
Kids are more likely to brush if their toothpaste has a pleasing flavor. Most toothpaste made for kids has a fruit or bubble gum flavor that kids tend to like. It may help to try a few different flavors until you find one your child likes. There is no oral health benefit to using mint flavored toothpaste if your child doesn’t like it.
Floss With Kid-Friendly Plackers
When it comes to flossing, young children may have a difficult time using string floss. Plackers, or flossing sticks, have a piece of floss suspended across a u-shaped head. Children can easily hold plackers and slide the floss down between each tooth. They often come in bright colors and shapes like dinosaurs and animals to make them more fun for kids.
Set up a Reward System
It may help to give children a reward for brushing and flossing daily. Keep a chart and give a reward at a certain point, such as the end of the week if they floss every day. Try to avoid sugary treats, as that is counter-productive to the overall goal of healthy teeth.
Play Music
Find a song that is about 2 minutes long or longer and play it while your children brush. Choose a song they enjoy listening to or make a playlist of various songs to use and let them pick one to listen to when they brush.
Use a Voice Assistant Device
Voice assistant devices such as Alexa and Google allow you to request songs and set timers using vocal commands. These can be useful when kids need to brush and floss.
Make it a Family Affair
Families who brush and floss together are more likely to keep up with the habit. When children see their parents making it a priority to care for their teeth, they are more likely to do so themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brushing and Flossing
How often should my child brush and floss?
Pediatric dentists recommend brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. When done effectively, this is typically sufficient for maintaining oral health for most kids. Kids with braces should brush after each time they eat.
At what age can my child brush and floss without help?
There is no set age where children are self-sufficient with oral hygiene. It is important to help kids brush and floss until they can do it on their own. By the age of 7-8 most children are ready to brush and floss independently.