Tips to motivate your children to brush their teeth

It may seem like a simple task, but as parents, it can sometimes be a challenge to motivate your little ones to brush their teeth twice a day. We know that instilling an oral hygiene routine will help them maintain good oral health and prevent common problems at their age, such as cavities and swollen gums, so here are some tips to turn this time of day into a fun experience. Together, we'll get them to brush their teeth regularly!

Help him understand its importance

If your children understand why brushing their teeth daily is so important, they are more likely to pick up the habit. They tend to be more receptive when they understand the reason behind the action. Talk to them in simple language they can understand about how regular brushing helps them remove food debris and prevent cavities, those "little black dots" that make holes in their teeth, fresh breath and an overall healthy mouth with strong, beautiful teeth.

You can use educational resourcessuch as children's stories that explain the importance of oral hygiene with pictures that are understandable and fun for their age. These cautionary tales are usually about characters who don't brush and what happens to them because they don't take care of their teeth. There are also many options in video format if that makes it easier to capture their attention. All of these materials are designed to be entertaining and educational at the same time.

Similarly, it is important to have conversations about dental hygiene at any time, not only during brushing. You can take advantage of any moment, for example, when an advertisement about candy or soft drinks appears. This way you can subtly remind them of what they have been learning and help them internalize it.

Make it a routine

Children, especially the youngest, need to repeat things several times to adopt new behaviors, so brushing should be a natural part of their daily routine, just like getting dressed or washing their hands. To achieve this, we recommend assigning specific times for brushing that are easy to remember and do not interfere with other activities, such as after breakfast and before bedtime, so they will get used to it and will not be in a hurry to finish.

Remember to keep a positive and patient attitude throughout the process, it may take some time to instill habits like these and they may show disinterest in the first few attempts. Buy them a toothbrush they like, with their favorite colors or drawings, and a toothpaste with a pleasant strawberry flavor, such as FluorKIN Infantil, to make it more comfortable for them.

There will be easy days and others when your children simply won't want to brush their teeth. It is key to always remain calm and understanding, reminding them of the reasons why it is important to do it without pressuring or punishing so that they will be more willing to participate the next day. They need to perceive it as something positive rather than an obligation. You can ask them questions like "Do you remember why it is important to brush their teeth?" and explain the benefits again in words they can understand.

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Make it fun

Brushing teeth doesn't have to be boring if you get a little creative. You can make up catchy songs for brushing time that include your children's names or play games with their favorite toys to make it a fun activity they look forward to. You can also let them brush you so they can learn how to do it.

You can also have contests between siblings to see who brushes their teeth the best (not the fastest) and then reward them for it with points on a reward board. Each time they complete the routine without skipping a day for a week or a month you can offer them a small reward. It could be a sticker or something inexpensive, such as choosing the movie you'll all watch together that week or choosing the park where they'll go to play in the afternoon. Organize it as fairly as possible to make it a friendly competition.

The important thing is that it lasts the two minutes recommended by dental specialists for the cleaning to be effective, so you can use timers with fun shapes, such as fruits or animals, so that children can see how much time they have left.

Lead by example

Children are great imitators and if they see how their parents brush their teeth twice a day, they are more likely to pick up the habit. Brush your teeth together with them, teaching them tricks so they don't miss any gaps, and participate in fun activities that you propose so they can test you themselves. They can also reward you if you have done well.

Remember that the example is not only limited to brushing, but they should also get used to going to the dentist regularly. They can accompany you to your appointments or try to schedule checkups together to normalize it as a family activity. Dentists are more than used to dealing with young children and have a special ability to explain things to them and make them feel comfortable. In addition to keeping their mouth healthy, they will be able to give them personalized advice that will make the routine even easier for them.

Motivating your children to brush their teeth can be a real challenge, so we encourage you to try our tips and you will see how it becomes a fun routine for the whole family. Remember to explain the reasons why it's so important for them to do it twice a day. Be consistent and make it as fun as possible and join them in reinforcing the habit. With patience and consistency, children will take brushing for granted, ensuring they have the best possible oral health in the long run.