The Best Ways To Get Your Kids Excited About Oral Hygiene

It’s the command all kids fear. It’s right up there with “go to your room” — go brush your teeth.  

How can you make brushing and flossing more fun and less of a chore? Here are eight of the best ways to get your kids excited about oral hygiene so that they grow to love polishing their pearlies.

1. Make It a Game 

Even cleaning the house is more fun when you make it into a game — okay, maybe not when you turn the toilet brush into a microphone,  but in general. Why wouldn’t your kids get excited about oral hygiene if you make it into playtime?  

One idea is to attach self-directed brushing to their allowance. If your kids consistently brush without being told five days in a row, they get an extra $1 in their kitty.  

For younger children, start with ideas inspired by the Sesame Street crew. Encourage your kids to talk about their actions as they brush. “I’m going in circles, and I’m scrubbing the backs up and down.”

2. Find the Best Floss  

There’s probably a reason why so many Americans don’t floss as often as they should. Despite various options, some people associate the practice with nothing but old-fashioned, gum-cutting type. Others may find it downright slimy to wrap a saliva-slick string around their fingers. 

Investigate alternatives. If the ick factor doesn’t come into play, many kids find the tape style of floss less painful and unwieldy than traditional. For folks who say, “no string for me, thanks,” purchase flossing sticks. The attached handle means your fingers never touch anything covered in spit. 

3. Use a Timer 

You know that your kids should scrub-a-dub their pearlies for at least two minutes, but children are notorious for having no sense of time. What’s the solution? Use a timer, of course!  

You can go with one that bings or, if your kids get fascinated by the falling grains, use an hourglass. Of course, there’s always your handy-dandy cellphone — but it makes things more convenient if you leave an object on the counter.

4. Keep Things Convenient 

Did you know that less than a third of Americans floss every day as they should? Why do so many people overlook this inexpensive way to prevent gum disease and tooth loss? They probably forget until they’re tucked into bed for the night.  

To correct the issue, make flossing convenient. Instead of keeping it in your medicine cabinet, keep it in the drawer of your living room end table. Give your children some to place on their night table — they won’t be able to use the “but I’m already in bed” excuse.

5. Model Appropriate Behavior 

No matter how many times you tell your kids to brush their teeth — or do anything else — they will imitate what you do more than they listen to what you say. If you want them to get excited about oral hygiene, you best show some enthusiasm yourself.  

Let your kids see you brush your teeth in the evening — please don’t wait until they are in bed. Make a morning ritual where the two of you take care of the deed together.

6. Consider Using Technology 

If your children struggle with small motor coordination, they might struggle to scrub in circles and use other techniques that blast away plaque. In such cases, switching to an electric toothbrush may help.  

Experiment with different styles. Some children might find the vibration some models use unsettling — versions like Oral B use circular scrubbing heads instead.  

Look into water flossing as an alternative to string, too. While they might not do as good a job of removing large particles stuck between teeth, they do blast away plaque.

7. Eat More “Scrubbing” Foods After Meals 

You don’t want to encourage your kids to brush every time they eat — doing so can strip enamel and leave them cavity-prone. Twice per day is adequate, but some foods act as natural toothbrushes.  

Cruciferous veggies such as carrots, cauliflower and broccoli scrub food particles away from teeth. Pack some in your child’s lunch along with some hummus dip. For a sweet end to a meal, go for apples — the rough surfaces likewise help remove stuck food and plaque.

8. Get Creative With the Tooth Fairy 

Finally, you have an opportunity to get your kids excited about oral hygiene every time they lose a tooth. While they’ll be disappointed if they don’t find a buck or two tucked under their pillow, why not go further than cash? 

You can wrap your kids’ tooth-loss gift in a comic encouraging good dental care practices. Alternatively, include a card with a handy tip on how to keep their new adult teeth healthier.

Try These Best Ways to Get Your Kids Excited About Oral Hygiene 

If you want to end the battle of the brush, try these eight best ways to get your kids excited about oral hygiene. You’ll decrease conflict in your home and raise kids with well-polished pearlies.