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9 Fun Ways to Get Kids to Brush Their Teeth

Proper dental hygiene is something your child will start learning as soon as they get their first tooth. Unfortunately, many parents struggle to enforce a regular brushing routine. While brushing is essential for their dental health, many kids do not find the process entertaining. Luckily, there are some things you can do to make your kids excited about brushing their teeth. Read on for some tricks that will make brushing just as much fun as playing.

1. Lead By Example
One of the best ways to motivate your kids to brush their teeth is to take care of your own. Especially for younger children, leading by example is a powerful way to enforce good habits. Plus, they'll feel more grown-up as they take care of their teeth, just like you. Make brushing your teeth a family affair. Both in the morning and before bed, round up your kids for some quality brushing time. Not only will it make the process more fun, but you'll also be able to pass along some of your master brushing techniques.

2. Brush Each Other's Teeth
Make brushing your teeth feel like playtime with this silly game. Let your child show off their skills by brushing your teeth before switching roles and brushing theirs yourself. For an added twist, brush each other's teeth simultaneously and try to keep from giggling! Turning brushing into a silly game makes it easy to encourage your child to take care of their teeth without complaints. As an added bonus, you won't have to wonder if they're brushing thoroughly because you'll have done it yourself.

3. Introduce a Play Brush
Turn brushing into an extension of playtime by giving your child a pretend brush that they can practice with using their toys throughout the day. Or go one step further and incorporate their toys into the brushing routine—have your child bring along their favorite doll or bear and "brush" its teeth before brushing their own. Adding toys to the brushing routine makes the process much more entertaining and reduces your kids' resistance to completing the task. Plus, encouraging your child to play dentist throughout the day makes brushing seem like less of a chore.

4. Give Them Some Options
Offering your kids a little control over how they brush their teeth simultaneously makes brushing more fun and gives them a greater sense of autonomy. The next time you go to the store, let your child pick out the toothbrush and toothpaste they'd most like to use, and encourage them to try something new. Alternatively, you can give your kids some options when it comes to constructing their routines. Presenting choices like "Would you like to brush your teeth now, or in five minutes?" can make your kids feel more in control of their dental hygiene.

5. Add Music to the Mix
One of the easiest ways to make brushing more fun for your kids is to turn the activity into a dance party. The next time your kids go to brush their teeth, turn on their favorite song and watch as the next few minutes pass by quicker than ever before. Listening to music while brushing their teeth will give your kids a reason to look forward to brushing their teeth. Plus, since most songs are at least two minutes in length, you can be sure they aren't setting their toothbrushes down too early.

6. Make it a Competition
Adding a dose of healthy competition can turn brushing into an exciting event. Acting as a judge, have your kids brush their teeth at the same time before inspecting their mouths and picking the "winner" with the shiniest teeth. Make the prize something simple, such as allowing that night's winner to pick the bedtime story. Creating a fun competition gives your kids something to look forward to each time they pick up their toothbrushes. This trick also has the added benefit of providing a lesson on how to be a good sport.

7. Brush for Prizes
Aside from introducing a competition, you can have your kids brush to earn points toward a prize, either large or small. With each thorough brushing, give them a point; once a certain number of points is reached, award them with the designated prize. Keep the excitement alive by giving your child a means of tracking their progress; be it a sticker chart, jar of marbles, or hand-drawn chart. They'll look forward to adding a point every time they brush.

8. Give Them a Superhero Alias
To encourage younger kids, turn teeth-brushing into an opportunity to stop some bad guys. You'll need to get in touch with your creative side for this one; create a story for your hero, be it a tragic past or righteous vengeance. Encourage your child to tap into their inner hero as they brush their teeth to destroy the evil, sugary villains that are threatening to harm their smile. Your child will have so much fun playing a superhero, they may be reluctant to put their toothbrush down once the brushing is done.

9. Turn Them into a Toothpaste Connoisseur
Make dental hygiene more exciting by becoming a toothpaste connoisseur with your kids. With so many toothpaste flavors on the market, have your child pick a new one each time you're in need of a new tube. Kids will have a blast comparing and ranking flavors to find the one they like best. This game will have your child eager to brush their teeth each day, so they can move on to the next flavor. With these tips and tricks, you can finally get your kids excited about brushing their teeth each day. To further strengthen your kids' dental hygiene, schedule an appointment at Duffy Dental Ranch today.