How to Teach Youngsters Good Oral Hygiene

When you were a kid, it probably took some persuasion from your parents to make you brush your teeth. However, as you got older, you realized how important good oral hygiene is to your overall health. Thus, now that you have your own kids, you want to instill good dental habits as early as possible. If you’re ready to teach good oral hygiene to your kids but need some ideas on how to do so, here are some tips that will have your kids more eager than ever to brush and floss.

Be a Good Example

Since kids imitate what they see, be a good example for your kids by brushing your teeth at least twice per day for a minimum of two minutes, and also flossing for at least one minute during one of those brushing sessions.

Let Your Kids Choose Their Oral Hygiene Supplies

Rather than stick a plain toothbrush in your child’s hand, let them pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste. Since many of today’s oral hygiene supplies for kids are linked to cartoons, television shows, and movie characters, there should be plenty of great options available to get any kid excited about brushing and flossing.

Use Sing-Along Tunes

A great way for kids to memorize information about oral hygiene, sing-along tunes can easily be incorporated into a child’s daily brushing routine. By making brushing and flossing a fun experience, it will motivate your child to do it on a regular basis.

Reward Your Child for Brushing

As an incentive, offer various rewards big and small for your child. For example, you can say that if they brush and floss each day during the week, they can pick out a favorite movie to go see over the weekend.

Eat Healthy

By teaching your kids to eat healthy foods on a daily basis and avoid snacks loaded with sugar, good oral hygiene habits can start at a very early age. While a piece of candy is fine now and then, show them that apples and carrots are much better choices for snacks.

Once your child has a cool toothbrush, has memorized a cute song, and knows a fun reward awaits them, brushing and flossing daily will be an exciting part of their day.