Most parents know that brushing is an important part of ensuring good oral health and overall health outcomes for their children. Most parents also know how difficult it is to get their children to be enthusiastic about brushing, and to brush regularly. To help with this, we’ve created a list of ways to help your child form a consistent brushing routine.
Set an example
The best way to encourage a behaviour is by leading through example. Turn brushing into family time by brushing alongside with your child. This will give them added validation that brushing is indeed very important, and it will allow for additional time together. In addition, brushing together allows you to ensure that they are brushing for the recommended duration (2 minutes, twice a day), and can help ensure that you’re getting your required brushing as well.
Get them practicing from an early age
Set the practice before they are even old enough to brush themselves, so that the habit stays entrenched in their minds. A good way to do this is to have them practice brushing either on a toy or have them try it on you. Make sure to provide additional feedback to build a positive association with brushing – such as by commenting on how good brushing is for you or the toy, or how good & healthy it makes you feel.
Set up a reward structure
Positive reinforcement is a tried and tested way of fostering desired behavioural patterns. Reward your child for maintaining their good brushing habits by offering a small prize or reward.
A good way to execute this is by setting up a weekly “report card”. This entails having you or the child cross off a chart each time they brush for a full two minutes. At the end of the week, if they’ve consistently brushed each day for two minutes, you can reward them with a small gift. You can even add additional points if your child has taken the initiative upon themselves to brush during their usual times without having to be prompted.
One important thing to keep in mind is to make sure that the reward is reasonable and not too big. This is so that the reward is just an additional bonus the child’s good behaviour, rather than having them brush only for the sake of the prize.
Set up a regular schedule
A lot of times, unless strictly supervised, children may simply forget to brush when they have to. In order to develop a consistent routine, you can set up parameters as to when they should regularly brush. This would typically be immediately after breakfast, after bathing, or right before their bedtime ritual. Pairing brushing time with other regular daily rituals or tasks will provide them the necessary cues, so that they don’t accidentally forget.
Expand their imaginations
One way to get your child more engaged in brushing is to create a story or narrative out of it. For example, you can make a story about them going out and defending themselves from imaginary “sugar bugs”, which they defeat by brushing. Another story you can make up is having them “explore the universe”, with the toothbrush being the vessel. There are no limits to how creative you can get, although it’s important to ensure that they are brushing thoroughly and for the recommended duration.
Decorate the bathroom with images related to brushing
The bathroom should be recognized for all of the functions it serves – brushing being one of them. One good way to reinforce the idea that the bathroom is the place for brushing is by decorating it with cartoons and pictures related to brushing. You can even make it into an arts and crafts activity, by getting your child to create drawings of characters brushing, which you can then post up on the mirror or walls.
Acknowledge them after brushing
Another reliable way to reinforce positive behaviour is by acknowledging or praising it. After they finish up their brushing routine, you can acknowledge them by giving a high five, or by providing other fun or quirky comments.
Switch up the toothpaste
If your child finds brushing their teeth repetitive, you can make the experience more dynamic and exciting by occasionally switching up their toothpaste. There are a lot of different toothpaste flavours that you can try out, just make sure that it’s suitable for them and fulfills all of the necessary criteria.
Get them involved in purchasing supplies
Get them more involved in brushing by having them pick out their brushes or toothpaste. You can make an ongoing ritual out of going to the store together when it’s time to restock, and have them pick out the toothbrush that they like the most.
Liven up the mood
You can make the experience more exciting by playing music while they brush. Find something fun and uplifting that they like, and play it during their brushing routine. This can also help you gauge time, to ensure that they’re brushing for the full two minutes.