Children must learn the importance of good dental hygiene. After they lose their baby teeth, they'll have one set of adult teeth to manage for the rest of their lives. If children don't learn how to care for their teeth properly, they could wind up with cavities, gum disease, and a whole list of other problems in their later years.
As a parent or caregiver, keeping your child's teeth healthy doesn't have to be a chore. All you have to do is make it fun for them. Children tend to respond to anything fun and exciting. If you can make dental hygiene something fun for your child to practice, they will develop the appropriate skills for preserving the health of their teeth.
Below are six fun ways to keep your kid's teeth healthy.
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Creative Toothbrushes
Your child might feel more compelled to pick up a toothbrush if it looks creative and unusual. There are kid-friendly toothbrushes available that are colorful, extravagant, and take the shape of various cartoon characters and comic superheroes.
For instance, if your child is a fan of Spider-Man, then go find a Spider-Man-themed toothbrush for them to use. That way, your child will feel more comfortable brushing their teeth because they will be closer to their favorite superhero.
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Fruit Flavored Toothpaste
Ordinary toothpaste has a strong taste of mint and baking soda. Children do not usually like this taste. Fortunately, there is fruit-flavored toothpaste available to purchase, which includes watermelon, orange, and strawberry flavors.
If your child doesn't like the taste of your ordinary toothpaste, then let them try fruit-flavored toothpaste. It could make them feel more comfortable about brushing their teeth because they'll look forward to the taste of the toothpaste.
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Fun Educational Sources
There are plenty of fun educational sources available that teach children about the importance of dental hygiene. You can find books at your local library or videos on the internet with cartoon characters in them. These characters will capture your child's attention as they teach them about good dental care.
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Reward Good Behavior
Does your child have trouble sticking to a dental hygiene routine? Fun incentives are an effective way to get your child on the right track. If you reward your child with something they want, then it could persuade them to brush and floss their teeth each night.
For instance, you could extend your child's bedtime by a few hours so they can watch their favorite TV show or movie. In exchange, tell your child they must brush and floss their teeth after dinner.
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Set a Timer
Give your child a "time challenge" when they brush their teeth. Using a vibrant or decorate timer, set it to two minutes and place it in the bathroom. Tell your child they must brush every tooth before the timer runs out.
Some of these kid-friendly timers will even countdown the time during the last 10 seconds. It is a way to fill your child with adrenaline and excitement about brushing their teeth thoroughly before the timer runs out.
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Song and Dance
Play your child's favorite song in the bathroom when it's time for them to brush their teeth. You can join them in the bathroom and brush your teeth at the same time. The two of you can dance to the loud music as you're brushing and flossing your teeth.
You could also put some colorful light bulbs in the bathroom and make the environment even more vibrant and fun for your child. Let your imagination and creativity run wild here. If your child has a recommendation for the song and dancing, then let their imagination run wild too!
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