Kids are really good at a lot of things. They have fantastic imaginations, endless creativity, and make friends incredibly quickly. For all the things they’re good at, however, they often struggle with tasks that require more discipline and fine motor skills. Unfortunately, brushing their teeth falls into that category. The good news is that there are some things you can do to help your kids brush their teeth better.
Provide Visual Feedback
You can’t usually see plaque until it’s bad enough that you have to see a dentist to get it removed. That can make it tough for even adults to tell if the teeth have been brushed well enough. Fortunately, you can get the visual feedback you need to tell if you’ve done a good job with plaque-disclosing products. These products color the teeth, making it easy to see what has been brushed and what hasn’t. That visual feedback can be especially helpful for kids who are learning to brush better.
Use a Timer
Did you know that you’re supposed to brush your teeth for two minutes? If you’ve ever tried brushing for two whole minutes before, you know that it can be tough to accurately judge the time. It’s even more difficult for most kids. Help your kids brush their teeth for long enough by using a timer. That will help them keep track of how long they’ve been brushing so they know when it’s okay to be done. They can also use the timer to make sure they’re brushing each quadrant of their mouth equally.
Play Copycat
Kids love copying their parents. Use that to your advantage by making toothbrushing a family affair. You can model correct tooth-brushing habits for your kids and encourage them to copy what you do. As they improve, you can switch who is copying who. That’s a great way to get a feel for how good they are at brushing. Your kids will love seeing you copy them too!
As a parent, it’s your responsibility to teach your kids how to properly perform basic hygiene tasks like brushing their teeth. Learning to brush well is especially important since it’s the best way to prevent tooth decay. As your kids get to the point where they can start brushing their teeth on their own, make sure they have the knowledge and skills they need to do a good job when it’s time for them to take over.
Keeping teeth healthy means keeping enamel strong. Fluoride is a key ingredient in strong enamel. Click here to learn more about fluoride for your kids’ teeth from Stellar Kids Dentistry today!