Making Dental Hygiene Fun

It takes time for children to develop good oral hygiene routines as they develop proper motor skills. Even after they have the ability to brush and floss well, you still want to encourage them to maintain good habits by making the process fun for them. At Copper Cove Pediatric Dentistry in Herriman, Utah, Dr. Troy Hardy and our team have some ideas to help your child stick to their healthy habits!

Maintain a Routine: Don’t let your child skip brushing, even after a long day or during a vacation. The more of a habit brushing their teeth becomes, the better.

Offer Rewards: Find out what motivates your child and reward him or her for brushing their teeth. Maybe use a sticker chart or let him or her pick the bedtime story.

Party On: Don’t just set a timer and watch. Make brushing for two minutes, twice a day fun! Turn on your child’s favorite song and have a dance party. You can also turn on videos to make time go faster. Another option is reading a two-minute story using your best voices.

Storybook Characters: A lot of children’s shows and books have stories about brushing teeth. Watch and read these stories together and use the character as a good example.

Storytime: If there isn’t a tooth brushing story that your child enjoys, make up one. You can incorporate your child’s favorite character or make up a superhero who fights cavity-causing bad guys.

Shop Spree: Letting your child pick out his or her toothbrush and toothpaste can make the whole process more fun. Some children’s toothbrushes have characters on them, which can make things exciting. In addition, fluoride toothpaste comes in a variety of flavors and colors.

Family Affair: Your children can learn excellent oral hygiene habits from you, so set a good example. Consider brushing together as a family.

Please call our Copper Cove Pediatric Dentistry team today at 801-446-2080 if you have any questions about your child’s oral health. Dr. Troy Hardy in Herriman, Utah is happy to help you and your child have healthy habits for a healthy smile!