10 ways to get kids to look after their teeth
If you’ve spent many a morning frantically trying to tempt your child to brush their teeth, fret no more. The experts at Dentyl Active have got you covered…
1. Make brushing fun
Most children dread that moment when they’re told to ‘stopping messing about’ and get ready for bed. It’s at that time you should try to turn their teeth-brushing sessions into a time of merriment. Put on some happy music, hand out toothbrushes that light up or play a tune and create a game around brushing their teeth.
2. Occasionally offer a little reward
OK, we’re not suggesting bribery, but now and then when your little one does a smashing job of brushing, flossing and swilling, offer them a little reward. That might be watching a short cartoon before bed, letting them wear their favourite pyjamas or reading them their favourite story. A chart system is a good way to monitor this – if you stick a star on the chart each time they successfully brush every tooth, a certain number of stars wins a prize.
3. Choose a good paediatric dentist
Take your child to a recommended paediatric dentist who is used to dealing with nervous little ones. A good dentist will use positive phrases such as, ‘clean’, ‘strong’ and ‘healthy’ rather than potentially scary words like ‘decay’, ‘pain’ or ‘drilling’. This will encourage your child to get into the dentist’s chair. Regular visits will also ensure they get used to being there.
4. Encourage them to use a fun mouthwash
Make rinsing exciting by introducing them to a brightly coloured mouthwash that enables them to see the pesky debris and bacteria they have removed once they spit. Dentyl Active’s double-action mouthwashes feature antibacterial Cetylpyridinium chloride and natural essential oils that magically mix together to ensure they can actually see it working.
5. Encourage teeth-friendly snacks
Teatime treats such as chocolate bars, sweets and biscuits are brimming with tooth-damaging sugar. And even seemingly innocent, natural foods such as raisins, oranges and dates are packed with decay-causing acid that can cause your child’s teeth all kinds of problems. Instead, tempt them with mini cheeses, carrot sticks laden with creamy humous and other raw veg cut into shapes.
6. Offer a tasty toothpaste
Not every child enjoys the strong minty taste of regular toothpaste, so why not look for varieties that offer a more unusual flavour? Many children’s toothpastes now come in strawberry, watermelon or orange flavours – just be careful that your child doesn’t like the taste too much and ends up swallowing a big dollop when you’re not looking…
7. Challenge them
If you’ve got two children or more, create a fun contest around who can brush their teeth for the recommended two minutes without stopping. A challenge like this will work wonders on competitive siblings.
8. Give them authority to choose
Children love the feeling of being in control and having the power to decide what they want to do, so present them with a range of toothpastes and brushes at each session so they have the option to choose the products for themselves.
9. Turn dentist trips into a fun day out
Take your child to the dentist at least once every six months, and try to combine that with a visit to the cinema or zoo before or after the appointment so they associate these visits with memorable, fun times. Let them wear their favourite outfit, too, for an extra bit of excitement.
10. Beware of the tooth monster!
If all else fails, try telling your curious little human an educational yet compelling bedtime tale about how the naughty ‘sugar bugs’ can make holes in their teeth if not magically zapped away by the superhero brush. A little exaggeration never hurt anyone, after all…right?
