Dental Veneers Changed My Life

3 Creative Ways To Get Your Kids Interested In Dental Care

3 November 2016 by Harold Coleman

It's been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that is especially true when it comes to dental care. Teaching kids to take care of their teeth from a very early age can do more than make your dentist happy. It can help children develop healthy habits that they can carry through life and avoid the many complications that come from poor dental hygiene. Try these creative ways to get little ones interested in taking better care of their teeth and gums.

Drawing Contest

Gather your kids together and announce that you are having a dental-themed drawing contest. It can have multiple parts, so that the child who wins the most categories can win overall. Prepare for the fun by stocking up on small prizes that are fun and dental-related. For example, you may have a toothbrush with the child's favorite character or fun-flavored dental floss. While children are drawing for the contest, talk to them about the different aspects of oral care. Some contest categories may include:

• Fastest drawing of a child with a front tooth missing.
• Most detailed drawing of a single tooth.
• Saddest drawing of a cavity.
• Happiest depiction of a healthy smile.

Throw a Dental Care Dance Party

Adults of all ages love to dance. It's simply innate for many people, even if they are not particularly great at moving and grooving on the dance floor. Kids will be enthralled at a dental care dance party. Simply assemble a fun playlist of teeth-related or smile-related songs, then crank up the tunes each night when kids are flossing, brushing their teeth, or swishing with mouthwash. Some tunes you may want to include are:

• "Your Smiling Face" by James Taylor
• "Smile" by Vitamin C
• "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" by the cast of "Annie"
• "Can't Smile Without You" by Barry Manilow
• "Savannah Smiles" by Brian Champion

After a tooth-brushing dance party, be sure to give your child plenty of praise for doing a great job with brushing their teeth. That's also a good time to talk again about the importance of taking care of one's teeth each day.

Create a Group Story

Lead your kids on a fun storytelling activity. Have everyone gather in a circle to create a story together, then read it aloud. Start things off by writing down a simple premise to a story about a child facing tough consequences from poor dental hygiene. You may make it a mystery as people try to figure out what is wrong, or you may make opt for comedy as a way of teaching the lesson. Any genre can work if you keep the moral of the story focused on the importance of taking care of one's teeth.

Finally, keep in mind that your dentist is your child's ally in dental care. The dentist can offer advice directly to your child about optimal oral care, and they can also answer any questions that you or your child may have about taking better care of baby teeth or permanent teeth. In addition to trying fun, creative ways to pique your child's interest in dental care, you should take your child to the dentist at a clinic like Smile City for a regular check-up at least twice per year. 

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