Encouraging Your Child to Practice Good Oral Hygiene at Home

Establishing an oral care routine for your child can be tricky. You might feel as if you’re nagging them, or forcing them to do something they don’t want to do. The last thing you want your child to think is that brushing and flossing isn’t fun or important. We’ve compiled a quick list of creative ways you can encourage your child to brush and floss at home.

Start early: Instill positive habits quickly by getting your child to practice brushing and flossing their teeth at an early age. The earlier they start, the faster they’ll build a routine and use it regularly.

Mirror good habits: If your child is just learning how to brush and floss, use a show-and-tell method by having your child watch you brush and floss your own teeth. When they see you do it, they’ll get a sense of how fun oral care can be and want to try it with you!

Use incentives: A rewards system is a great way to incentivize your child into brushing a flossing. You can set up a chart and offer a prize every time your child brushes and flosses throughout the week. You can also try turning oral hygiene into a game; either option will give your child something to look forward to.

Brush and floss as a family: Your child will soon be able to recognize the importance of oral hygiene when they see the rest of their family doing it. By brushing and flossing altogether, you’re not only having family time, but you’re also establishing a healthy routine for your child.

Let your child choose: There are plenty of fun toothbrushes and tasty dental flosses to choose from, so try taking your child to the store and letting them choose the toothbrush and floss that they want. Now your child can look forward to brushing and flossing as soon as they get home.

Contact Dr.Adina Manolescu for More Information!

Dr. Manolescu is a dentist located in San Diego, CA. She treats patients of all ages, but especially enjoys helping her younger patients take care of their teeth. If you are looking for a comprehensive dental office forkids, or would simply like more information about the services Dr. Manolescu provides, contact her office today and schedule an appointment!