How to Make Dental Health Fun For Kids

As adults, we barely think of brushing our teeth as “a chore.” The cost of a cavity seems like a pretty high price to pay for skipping out on two minutes of dental hygiene. Kids, however, are still working on learning this skill and aren’t worried about consequences they haven’t experienced themselves. For some, brushing teeth can even mean wild tantrums and tears, so we’re here to share a few tips and tricks that’ll help kids get excited about their oral hygiene! 

But before we get started, it’s helpful for parents to understand why their kids avoid teeth brushing in the first place. 

1. It’s boring! Two minutes can feel like an eternity for them, especially when that brand new lego set is calling from the room next door. Time spent brushing their teeth is competing with every other “fun” activity. 
2. It tastes gross! Ever seen a kid shove a plate of broccoli across the table? The same goes for toothpaste. If they decide it’s yucky, they’ll do everything they can to avoid it. 
3. It’s too hard! Kids are still working on refining their motor skills, so even simple tasks like teeth brushing can require a lot more effort. 

So now that you’ve got an idea as to why kids will try dodging the toothbrush, let’s dive into some more “exciting” approaches to this daily routine. 

• Create a “Toothbrush Treasure Chest” 

Fill a “treasure chest” with all kinds of fun prizes (these could even be new toothbrushes and toothpaste flavours). Print of a weekly checklist for the bathroom and when your kid has earned a full week of checkmarks for brushing and flossing, let them pick a “prize” from the chest. 

• Invite them to pick a “Brush Buddy” 

Kids love their stuffed animals. Most of the time they even consider them to be friends. Have your kid pick one of their stuffed animals and deem this stuffy their “brush buddy.” Every morning and night, your child and “brush buddy” can brush their teeth together. 

• Buy an animal toothbrush and build a backstory 

There are tons of fun toothbrushes to pick from at the grocery store. Find one that resembles an animal and give it a backstory. For example, a tiger toothbrush might love exploring caves, checking for healthy teeth. If the child’s teeth are clean, the tiger can report back to the land’s “king” or “queen,” saying the child has passed all inspections. 

• Create a “Smile Passport” 

Build a “smile passport” that takes kids on a tooth brushing journey. As they venture forth, they’ll get a stamp in their passport. Start with rinsing the mouth, then lead into brushing and flossing. End with gargling or using mouth wash.  

• Pick a toothbrushing song

Pick a song that you and your kid can dance to as they brush their teeth. You can even break the song into parts and shift focus to brushing different teeth as the song progresses. 

• Brush together and have them play “copy cat” 

Kids are still watching everything you do and learning from your actions. Take advantage of this and have them mimic your teeth brushing routine. See if they can do it “exactly like mom or dad.” 

• Play dentist and have them check for healthy teeth 

If your kid is a fan of playing dress-up, incorporate this into their tooth brushing routine. They could wear their “dentist coat” and start by checking your teeth with a flashlight. Once they’ve done this, ask them to find and brush those same teeth in their own mouth. 

Learn more about Children’s Dental Care here.

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