Fun Brushing and Flossing Tips for Kids

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove

Garden City:516-222-5100

Glen Cove: 516-759-7000

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Good brushing and flossing habits are essential for all kids.  That’s why we think it’s so important to make caring for your teeth fun! 

Here are 6 ways to get your kids excited about their smiles:

• Fun Toothbrush – There are so many kid-friendly options available.  Let your kid pick out their favorite character or color!  Just make sure the toothbrush is ADA approved.
• Flavored Toothpaste – Mint flavors can be too strong for some kids.  Try milder toothpastes like bubblegum or berry.  Knowing they love their toothpaste flavor can make brushing more enjoyable.
• Bathroom Charts – Let your kid add a sticker after they brush.  At the end of the week, they can even get a small prize.
• Timers or Songs – Using a fun timer or playing their favorite song can make brushing for a full 2-3 minutes more exciting. 
• Practice – Brushing and flossing habits can be tough to master, even for adults!  Let them practice their skills on their favorite doll.  Lego “teeth” are also a great way to practice flossing.  Kids can floss clay from between the teeth with a piece of string.
• Reading – There are tons of great children’s books about brushing your teeth.  This is an excellent way to reinforce the message of keeping your smile healthy.

At Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City & Glen Cove we are always looking for new ways to making caring for kids’ smiles fun!  Contact our Garden City office by calling 516-222-5100 or our Glen Cove office by calling 516-759-7000.

Are Your Children Uninterested in Brushing? It's Time to Make Brushing FUN!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City

585 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

516-222-5100 

www.PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com

Do your children give you a hard time when you ask them to brush their teeth? They may ask why? Or do I have to? Does this sound familiar? If it does, your children may truly be looking for the reason on why they have to brush their teeth!

Did you know that 50% of children will have a cavity or filling between the ages of 5 and 9? This is why it is extremely important to instill healthy oral hygiene habits in your children from a young age.

A great way to get your kids interested in oral-hygiene and regular brushing is by making oral care more fun for them! Here are some tips on how to add some fun into brushing, courtesy of nickjr.com!

1. Show, Don't Tell.

Floss once a day and brush and rinse twice a day, every day. Share the experience with your kids. When leading by example, your kids are likely to imitate behavior and make oral hygiene feel less like a "kid thing." You may want to brush your kids' teeth at least once a week to demonstrate and make sure back teeth and gums are not being neglected.

2. Let Kids Decide.

Empower your kids by letting them choose a fun, colorful toothbrush made just for them, a cool and flavored toothpaste, and type of floss, so brushing will become less of a power struggle. Then keep the bathroom stocked with these favorite oral care goodies.

3. Make Brushing Fun.

Help your kids develop proper oral care habits and make it fun by incorporating pre- and post-brush rinses in their oral care regimen. Try different kinds of children's mouthwash to catch pesky food particles and germs that toothbrushing can leave behind.

4. Be a Star!

To further boost motivation, tack or tape a few photos of your kids' favorite role models, heroes, movie or TV stars, or singers--flashing their pearly whites, of course--onto the bathroom wall. This will remind your kids that a bright smile not only goes a long way in Hollywood and elsewhere, but it is also a great way to brighten up each day.

5. Make It Silly!

Turn the oral care routine into a funny-face contest or make it a Simon Says game by calling out different parts of the mouth. The whole family will complete the routine and see who can go the longest without laughing!

6. Clean to the Beat.

Brushing, flossing, and rinsing can all be rhythmic activities. Play some of your kids' favorite music so they can enjoy their oral care routines. On average, brushing should last about two minutes and rinsing 60 seconds. Together these activities may last the length of a typical song.

7. Visit the Dentist.

And remember to take your kids to visit their dentist regularly. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) recommends parents schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as the first tooth appears.

Do you have any other tips on how to make brushing fun for children? Let us know on our Facebook page, linked HERE!