Oral Hygiene Habits: 5 Tips to Make Healthy Habits Fun For Kids

By Smiley Pearls | October 24, 2024

Do your kids hate to brush their teeth? Good oral hygiene habits start at a young age but don’t have to be a chore. For parents looking for help in teaching their kids healthy habits, keep reading to learn 5 easy tips for making oral health fun.

The Importance of Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits

Are developing regular, healthy oral hygiene habits a struggle in your house? Creating healthy habits in young children is an important goal for parents and caregivers to set. Children are not always willing participants in keeping up with daily tooth brushing and flossing, so parents are often left with the responsibility of encouraging and maintaining consistent routines and care. As dental health professionals, we have one thing to say about that: KEEP IT UP! Developing good oral habits is a critical component for maintaining good oral health in children.

Why are good oral hygiene habits important to begin at a young age? Healthy habits provides a host of benefits that often last a lifetime, including:

  • Maintaining overall oral and dental health
  • Preventing tooth decay
  • Helps children avoid dental anxiety
  • Decreases the risk of preventable conditions
  • Saves money (by protecting against health conditions that may require extensive or invasive treatments)

For Parents: 5 Tips to Make Oral Hygiene Habits Fun For Kids

Tip #1: Let Children Choose Their Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Brushing may be more enticing to your child when they have a toothbrush with cool stripes or their favorite character decorating the side. Take your child shopping and allow them to pick out their new supplies. They will be excited to be included in shopping for their toothbrush and toothpaste.  

You can also help your child choose a toothpaste flavor that appeals to them. Many children find mint toothpaste too spicy. Let your child choose a fun flavor to help them become more willing to participate. Fluoride toothpaste comes in lots of flavors, just look for products with the ADA seal of acceptance. 

Help young children enjoy oral hygiene habits like brushing their teeth with these dentist-approved tips from your Sachse dentist at Smiley Pearls

Tip #2: Have Fun While Brushing

Make toothbrush time a game by challenging your child to brush their teeth through an entire song. Make sure the song is 2 minutes long, and they will be removing all the bacteria from their teeth. 

Let your child choose their favorite song and brush to the beat. You can even create a brushing dance routine! Have fun and let your child give their input to make the toothbrush time fun. You can also find a kid-friendly toothbrush timer to help countdown the 2 minutes. 

Tip #3: Read a Book or Watch a Video 

Sometimes it is helpful for children to know the reason behind the task they are being asked to do. Help your child learn why brushing and flossing their teeth are important by reading books and stories about oral health.

You can find lots of fun videos and resources online. Visit the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists website and check out the Mouth Monster Club! 

Tip #4: Make Brushing and Flossing a Family Affair

Make oral hygiene a family affair. Take two minutes after breakfast or before bed to brush your teeth side-by-side.  Children learn best when parents lead by example and model that tooth brushing is an important daily habit. Your actions will speak louder than words. 

Tip #5: Visit the Dentist Regularly

Encouraging regular dental check-ups can help monitor your child’s hygiene and offer preventative measures. Visiting your Sachse, TX dentist regularly will also make visiting the dentist less painful and scary. Children will become more acclimated and familiar with the dentist’s office by keeping regular visits.

Choose a few of these tips and see if making oral care more enjoyable helps your child learn these healthy habits. Remember, consistency in oral care is vital if you want your child to achieve good oral health. Making everyday tasks like brushing teeth fun and exciting for children can help to make oral hygiene easier for everyone, including parents!

If you have any questions or if your child needs additional help or coaching in oral and dental hygiene practices, our dentists at Smiley Pearls in Sachse, TX, are here to help by providing comprehensive pediatric dentistry. Call our office today or request an appointment online.

Posted in Oral Health, Pediatric Dentistry