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5 Ways To Encourage Your Child To Brush Properly

2 March 2016 by Harold Coleman

As the parent of a young child, you may be concerned about his or her oral health. Still, it can seem like a daunting task to make a youngster brush for two minutes twice a day. However, there are ways to encourage your child to participate in a structured oral health regimen to protect his or her teeth and gums. Here are a few things you can do to encourage proper brushing:

Form a Routine

It is best to have your child brush at the same time each morning and each evening. This helps him or her settle into a routine. Your child will feel as though something is missing if the brushing episode is ignored.

Join In

Most children love to have their parents' participation in their activities. Instead of sending your youngster to the bathroom to brush alone, join in. You can brush at the same time as your child. This can be helpful because it gives you the opportunity to correct improper brushing techniques. In addition, you can easily monitor the length of time that your child brushes.

Set an Alarm

Sometimes, it may be difficult to know when two minutes have elapsed. Using your cell phone, you can quickly and easily set an alarm to help monitor the amount of time that your child is brushing. Encourage your child by offering him or her a small reward for brushing until the alarm sounds. The reward doesn't have to be large or pricey. It can simply be a small sticker or even 10 minutes of television time.

Use Tasty Toothpaste

Sometimes, a child will be hesitant to brush his or her teeth because it is physically uncomfortable. An adult toothpaste that promises to freshen the breath will likely set a child's mouth on fire. Look for a toothpaste that is created with a child's palate in mind. There are many different flavors available, such as bubble gum, grape or berry flavors.

Fun Toothbrush

Toothbrushes for children are available with fun animated characters decorating the handle of the brush. Allowing your child to choose his or her favorite character or color for his or her toothbrush can encourage the youngster to use the brush. The lively designs can make brushing feel less like a chore and more like playtime.

In addition, consider battery-powered toothbrush. The vibrations of the bristles can help your child clean his or her teeth more thoroughly, and the use of an electronic device can seem fun for a kid.

To learn more ways to encourage your child to brush properly, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist in your area, like Martinsville Family Dentistry or another location.

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