GoHenry data tells us that brushing twice a day is one of the UK’s top paid tasks for kids. After all, it’s a handy motivating tool for parents whose kids need encouragement to look after their teeth.
Related: Age appropriate chores
Understandably, some parents feel that kids shouldn’t need to be rewarded for establishing an oral hygiene routine, but others believe that this is a small price to pay for helping kids to establish good habits and avoid a lifetime of dental issues.
Whichever approach you decide to take, here are a few tips to help you motivate your kids to brush their teeth regularly.
1. Start early
2. Pick the right toothbrush and toothpaste
3. Brush Together
4. Play a Song
5. Watch a Video
6. Turn It Into a Game
7. Read a Book
8. Build a Routine
9. Reward their efforts
Tips on getting your child to brush their teeth
We all know that brushing your teeth is essential, but kids are stubborn and some – no matter how old – refuse to pick up a toothbrush regularly. Thus, it’s not surprising to learn that, according to the CDC, more than 50% of kids from six to eight years of age have tooth decay in their baby teeth. Likewise, over 50% of adolescents aged 12-19 have cavities in their permanent teeth.
So what’s the best way to encourage them to brush?
1. Start early
Don’t wait too long to introduce your child to tooth brushing. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you start brushing baby teeth as soon as the first milk tooth appears above the gumline (at approximately six months of age).
From a very young age, you can start teaching them the basics of brushing so they can pick up the habit as they grow up. Expert advice says kids should be brushing their teeth on their own by the time they are seven years-old. At this point, they have the dexterity and skills needed to do this task by themselves.
If your seven-year-old refuses to brush their teeth (don’t worry, this is not uncommon), then it’s time to think of proactive ways to encourage them to up their dental hygiene game (see below).
2. Pick the right toothbrush and toothpaste
The strong, minty taste of toothpaste is one of the main reasons why many kids hate brushing their teeth. To encourage them, pick an appealing toothpaste and get them involved in choosing it when you’re out shopping.
Choose a brand with enticing flavors (sugar free). And consider the fluoride level, which should be age-appropriate to ensure the growth of stronger teeth and help prevent cavities.
Toothpaste needs to have just the right amount of fluoride. Kids under the age of two should use a smear of toothpaste (around 0.1 gram of toothpaste or 0.1 mg of fluoride). Children aged two to six should use no more than a pea-sized amount. Encourage children to spit out excess toothpaste after brushing but not rinse, as this washes away the fluoride.
Take it to the next level by also providing the right toothbrush. This should have a small head, soft bristles, and good grip. It also helps if it has a kid-friendly design, to encourage kids.
At the age of three, kids can start using an electric toothbrush, which provides more brushing power and makes the task easier. These are available in a range of child-friendly designs, which can also boost their interest. These are also comfortable to use and offer effective plaque removal.
3. Brush Together
Setting a good example and brushing together will encourage kids to brush their teeth. Be a good role model because – if they can see you brushing your teeth twice a day, they will likely be doing the same.
It’s important to practice what you preach: if you warn your kids to limit sugar and brush twice a day, make sure you do the same. Take this as an opportunity to teach the correct way to brush their teeth. The ADA suggests:
- Positioning the brush at an angle 45 degrees to the gums
- Gently moving the toothbrush in short strokes
- Cleaning the inner part of the teeth with up-and-down strokes
- Making sure all surfaces, insides and chewing surfaces of teeth are cleaned.
4. Play a Song
With younger kids, it often helps to play a ‘tooth brushing song’. Choose a song – ideally with an upbeat tune – that they will love, and encourage them to dance as they brush. This will make brushing less of a chore and seem like a fun game. Pick a song that is at least two minutes long, which is the recommended duration for brushing.
5. Watch a Video
Aside from playing songs, you can also encourage brushing by watching videos. Choose a video on YouTube that encourages proper tooth brushing techniques for kids in a fun way, so your children can learn and imitate whatever they are seeing on the screen as they brush.
6. Turn It Into a Game
If there is one thing that kids love, it’s playtime. So, if you’re looking for fun ways to teach brushing teeth, make it a game. Role-playing often works. For instance, let your child pretend that they are a superhero. Plaque is the villain and the toothbrush is their secret weapon.. Every time they brush their teeth, they take one step closer to destroying the enemy!
7. Read a Book
Reading books about oral health is another good way to encourage kids to clean their teeth. Good stories help kids to learn the consequences of neglecting their teeth. A good book should talk about brushing, eating well and educate them about what can happen when plaque forms. A fun and useful book that will keep small kids engaged is Brush Your Teeth Please: A Pop-up Book.
8. Build a Routine
A routine helps kids understand that brushing their teeth is an important part of their day. If possible, encourage them to brush their teeth at the same time every day. Many experts recommend brushing before breakfast. Kids should also brush before bed. Over time, this routine will become a long-term habit.
9. Reward their efforts
Rewarding children for accomplishing everyday tasks is a controversial topic. That said, if you are wondering how to get kids to brush their teeth, building an effective reward system can help.
What to do if kids won’t brush their teeth
Don’t despair if, despite all your best efforts, your kids still avoid brushing their teeth. There’s a good chance that they’ll start to zone out if you spend too much time warning them about fillings and bad breath, but there are a couple more tricks you can try.
- If you suspect your child is using tooth-brushing avoidance to drag out bedtime, make the routine something that happens an hour after dinner (rather than before bed), when they will be less likely to waste your time and their own.
- Take a look at what’s distracting them from the task. It’s likely to be a game, device or social media – which means you can strike a bargain. Promise them some extra screen time, or a slightly later bedtime, if they brush their teeth now!
If you’re looking for a great way to reward kids for tasks like brushing their teeth without complaining, GoHenry can help! GoHenry is a prepaid debit card for kids and chore app, which makes it easy for you to pay regular pocket money and set up paid tasks which will be paid automatically when they’re marked complete.
Most kids respond well to a paid incentive, so why not set up a paid task in your GoHenry app and pay your child a weekly reward if they brush their teeth twice a day, every day, without being nagged!
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