Many parents fear the nightly battle they face with their children when they ask them to brush their teeth. Though there are some children that enjoy their nightly routines, many couldn’t be any less interested. Which makes the troubles of parents that much tougher to handle. This leads to the question, what is the most effective way for parents to instill healthy brushing habits in their children without the extra trouble? The most important thing for parents to remember is that no two children are the same. What works for one, might not work for another. Unfortunately, there is no ‘one right way’ to instill these habits into any child. Parents will have to utilize many different offerings to find what’s most suitable for their child. Of the most popular strategies, one that any parent can try is incorporating some form of entertainment into their brushing time. This can be as simple as a toothbrush that’s customized with a child’s most adorned stickers, or a brush that includes their favorite cartoon characters; the goal is to keep them entertained enough to be distracted from their discomfort as they brush. For some kids, this sort of interaction can be great. Others, however, may want something simpler, such as companionship. Sometimes a child just doesn’t want to have to brush alone, which can mean that simplifying the process can be as easy as making brushing a collective routine rather than an individual one. Make it a ritual to bring the family together and brush as a unit. Above all else, what parents must understand is that a habit is much easier to maintain if it’s picked up at young ages. Any budding child that begins formulating this habit early can ensure that their oral hygiene can remain as healthy as possible throughout their life. For more information on the ways in which you can ensure these habits are formed for your children, please see the infographic accompanying this post.
Teaching Your Children Good Oral Hygiene provided by Sycamore Hills Dentistry, your first choice for a dentist office fort wayne indiana