Getting children into a regular tooth-brushing routine is important for their dental health, but it can often be a struggle. Children may try to avoid or rush through this daily hygiene task. However, there are many creative ways to make brushing more fun and engaging so children look forward to it rather than dreading it. Below are some tips to help parents and carers encourage their children to brush properly and regularly. Establishing these positive oral hygiene habits from a young age will benefit your child’s health.
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1. Make it Fun
While making toothbrushing fun is a good idea for all children, it is especially important for children fostered with agencies like www.thefca.co.uk. These children have experienced disruption in their early lives, so may need extra encouragement and patience when developing daily routines like brushing.
Thankfully, it’s easy to make this activity fun. You can turn tooth brushing into an exciting event by letting your child brush along to fun music or their favourite show. You can even have a family dance party in the bathroom while everyone brushes. The sillier the better! This transforms chore time into fun time.
2. Buy Engaging Toothbrushes
Let your child pick out their own toothbrush featuring their favourite cartoon character, superhero, or animal. Electric brushes that light up and play music can also make brushing more interesting.
3. Use Egg Timers
Egg timers or hourglasses are great visual tools to help children see how long they should brush. Have your child gently brush each section of their mouth for the duration of the timer. Offer encouragement when they complete the whole two minutes.
4. Tell Stories
Make up imaginative and silly stories about going on adventures to brush the sugar bugs off various teeth. Give names and personalities to different teeth as you brush them. This role play turns brushing into an imaginative game.
5. Reward with Stickers
Let your child add a sticker to a brushing chart or their bathroom mirror every time they brush well for the full two minutes. Watch their excitement build as they earn stickers towards a bigger reward like a trip to the cinema.
6. Follow Animal Steps
Print out free brushing charts online that feature animal mascots demonstrating brushing steps. Let your child follow along with the tiger or elephant as they brush in circles and up and down.
7. Make Faces in the Mirror
Encourage children to make silly faces at themselves in the mirror while they brush. Seeing their foamy grin will help make brushing entertaining.
8. Set Challenges
Make brushing competitive by challenging your children to brush every tooth before you can count to 100. Mix up the numbers each time to keep them on their toes.
Brushing regularly should not feel like a dreaded chore. Incorporating creative encouragement into your child’s oral hygiene routine makes meeting this important health goal more enjoyable. Try out some of these tooth-brushing games and tricks to find what engages your child.
