While parents can have any number of New Year’s Resolutions, by far one of the most common is, “I am going to get my child to brush their teeth consistently!” Diligent oral homecare is essential to not only avoiding cavities, but ensuring that your child has a confident smile they’re always proud to show off. Of course, getting them to clean their teeth every day can often be a struggle. Fortunately, your children’s dentist in El Reno has a few easy tips that should jumpstart your little one’s dental routine for 2019.

1. Set a good example

Do you brush and floss your own teeth every morning and night? Young children tend to copy what they see, so if you’re taking great care of your teeth, this will make them more likely to follow suit. If your child never actually sees you cleaning your teeth, try brushing and flossing with them. This will turn dental care into a family activity, and if you can get multiple family members to do it at the same time, then your child will be much more likely to brush without a fight as well.

2. Turn it into a game

A little fun never hurt, right? Rather than making dental care a chore, you can turn it into something to look forward to with a little creativity. There are a variety of free apps on your phone where your child can brush alongside a cartoon character, and there are others that help track how consistently they’re cleaning their teeth. Just like a video game, you can give them “achievements” for brushing every day for a week, a month, and so on. This will motivate them to keep up the habit so they can “unlock” whatever the next reward might be.

3. Celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month

Children’s Dental Health Month is actually February, and rather than let it pass by unnoticed, try to turn it into an important event in your household. Decorate, create fun traditions, and generally make a big deal out of your child’s dental health. This will create excitement with the added bonus of making your child think about their teeth.

This is also the perfect time to schedule an appointment with their dentist. They’ll not only receive a professional cleaning and oral exam, but you’ll both have the chance to ask their dentist questions about how to improve their oral care routine. Sometimes, simply talking to an adult who isn’t a parent or teacher is enough to make an idea “click” in a child’s head.

If getting your child to clean their teeth is a daily battle, then these tips should help add some joy to what has been a source of stress. Children are always ready to have fun, and it won’t matter to them if it involves brushing their teeth or not! After a while, the habit will be ingrained into their nightly routine, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about.

About the Author

Dr. Adam Cohlmia is a family, restorative, and cosmetic dentist who currently practices at El Reno Family Dentistry. He loves serving growing smiles, and if you need a little help getting your child to take care of their teeth at home, he’s always ready to offer tips and advice. To get in touch with Dr. Cohlmia, he can be contacted through his website.