Dental Care For Kids – 5 Tips To Stop Toothbrush Tantrums

Your kid’s teeth are at risk of cavities as soon as they first make an appearance. This being the case, you can never start too early when it comes to teaching your child the importance of regular visits to their dentist in Chesterfield MO and helping them learn how to care for their teeth. But we also know that for many parents, getting your child to brush their teeth is far from simple and often ends in tantrums and tears. So to help turn those frowns upside down, here at Chesterfield family dentistry we’ve put together 5 tips that will get your kids excited about tooth brushing. Warning: it involves getting creative!

1. Get a cool toothbrush

Take your child shopping with you and let them choose their own toothbrush that’s designed especially for kids. If they’ve got their favorite Disney cartoon or superhero on their brush, there’s a good chance they’ll be more likely to use it and it makes their experience much more fun!

2. Make it a family routine

If there’s one thing we know from our experience withChesterfield pediatric dentistry,it’s that kids love to imitate their parents – so show them how it’s done! Brushing together as a family gives your kids a chance to watch how you do it and is a great way to get your kids interested in caring for their teeth too.

3. Use your imagination

At Chesterfield family dentistry, we know that keeping your kids interested in brushing for two whole minutes is no easy task – so it’s time to get creative! How about making up a song together about tooth brushing or listening to fun music that helps pass the two minutes? Check out YouTube for some great sing-along ‘brush your teeth’ tunes! Having fun makes brushing more enjoyable and stops your kids getting bored too quickly.

4. Have a reward chart

Buy, print, or create your own calendar, along with some stickers that your kids will love. Every time your child has successfully brushed their teeth day and night (for the whole two minutes) be sure to reward their efforts by marking it with a sticker. At the end of the week or month, you might decide to treat your child with a special trip, dessert or toy for their good behavior.

5. Keep it positive

It takes time to establish good brushing habits with your child, so don’t get too frustrated. Whatever you do, don’t threaten your child with a visit to their dentist in Chesterfield MO if they refuse to brush. Your child shouldn’t view visiting the dentist negatively, as a form of punishment – because this can cause dental anxiety in later years! The real key to getting your kids to brush their teeth without a fight is to make it a fun activity that they’ll look forward to. At Chesterfield family dentistry, we know that this takes much time and effort but teaching your kids to care for their teeth from an early age will help them get into a lifelong habit of great oral care. If you’ve got any concerns about your child’s dental health, our Chesterfield pediatric dentistry team are always here to help. Call us on today (314) 469 6429.