3 Ways to Motivate Your Child To Brush Their Teeth

It is important to teach healthy habits to kid as they are growing up. One of these essential habits is good teeth brushing. However, it can be complicated to get children to practice routines to improve oral hygiene. Most kids would instead not brush their teeth before going to sleep.

Yet, there are a few ways you can encourage your kids to practice oral hygiene.

• Avoid The Scare Tactic: Most parents tend to use a scare tactic to get kids to establish brushing habits or complete other essential tasks. This isn't always useful. This was, your kid will only brush their teeth to show you. And when you're not around, they may skip the healthy activity and even lie to you about it. Instead, educate them about the repercussions of not brushing your teeth regularly. Making them understand the importance of teeth brushing is more likely to motivate them to adopt it.
• Lead By Example: It is no secret that kids naturally try to mirror their parents. Therefore, setting positive examples of great oral health can benefit your kids a lot. Make sure your kid notices that you're brushing your teeth every night. You can also teach them proper brushing techniques by making a point of brush your teeth with them at the same time every day. This will also help them get into the routine of brushing their teeth regularly.
• Reward System: Children respond well to a reward system. You can use this to your advantage as you try to promote oral hygiene. You can do this by designating a time by which your child is expected to have brushed their teeth. Then get a weekly or monthly chart and some stickers. Every time they brush their teeth on time, they get to add a sticker to their chart. Decide an appropriate number of stickers in advance, and every time they reach that many stickers, they get a reward or gift. Just don't give candy or sugary foods as a gift, which will defeat the activity's whole purpose.

Doing these things can help your kid establish healthy oral habits that will benefit them long into adulthood. If you notice any dental health issues in your kids, then it is important to take them to a pediatric dentist as soon as possible.