NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 4, 2025 / Getting kids excited about dental care might seem like a tall order, but it doesn't necessarily have to be. With a little creativity and the right approach, even brushing and flossing could become something they look forward to.
Here are some playful ideas to help make dental care fun for kids.
Get a special toothbrush
Children love to express themselves, and choosing a toothbrush that reflects their favorite colors, cartoon characters, or themes might make brushing feel less like a chore and more like part of a routine they control. And, parents probably won't need dental loans to pull off this small gesture.
There are so many options these days - from toothbrushes that light up to ones that play music or have their favorite characters on them. The key is to let kids feel like it's their personal tool. Hey, they might even start reminding everyone when it's time to brush when they're excited about their toothbrush.
Parents and caregivers could even consider buying several fun toothbrushes to rotate and keep things fresh.
Use a teeth-brushing and flossing song
Try turning brushing time into a mini dance party! There are plenty of teeth-brushing songs online, or parents can get creative and make up their own.
The goal is to keep things light and fun while teaching kids how long they should be brushing. Most dentists recommend brushing for two minutes, and a catchy song that lasts that long could help kids brush for the right amount of time.
Plus, singing while brushing or flossing might distract them from the idea that they're doing something "boring" or "annoying." There are a few tricks parents could try, like:
Use a music app or play videos with catchy songs that make brushing entertaining
Make up lyrics to a song they'll remember and enjoy singing
Change the song regularly to keep the excitement alive
Let kids participate in the toothbrush and toothpaste buying process
Take kids along when shopping for dental supplies and let them pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste. Try giving them a couple of options that are all kid-friendly and watch how excited they get when they're in charge of picking what goes in the cart.
When they've chosen these items themselves, they may be much more likely to want to use them. Parents may also consider:
Letting them try out different toothpaste flavors, like bubblegum or strawberry
Setting aside a special shopping trip just to pick out dental supplies
Apply incentives for good dental care
A little motivation never hurts so, setting up a reward system could make a world of difference when encouraging kids to stick with a dental care routine.
This doesn't have to be anything extravagant. A simple sticker chart where they can earn stars for every morning and night they brush and floss could be enough to keep them on track. Once they reach a certain number of stars, they can earn a small prize, like extra time to play their favorite game or a special treat.
It's all about making them feel good about their progress and reinforcing positive habits in a way that feels fun.
Be creative and clever (like making a game)
Kids generally love games, so why not make brushing and flossing part of one? There are plenty of ways to turn dental care into a fun activity.
For example, parents could create a "plaque monster" story where the child's job is to defeat the plaque by brushing and flossing. Or parents could challenge kids to see how "sparkly" they can get their teeth after brushing.
There are even apps designed to turn toothbrushing into an interactive game, making the experience more engaging and exciting. By making it playful and imaginative, kids might forget they're even doing a chore!
Make it fun!
The ultimate goal is to turn something that could feel like a daily task into something kids can genuinely enjoy. Parents can even play along and make it a family activity.
Even taking a selfie after brushing to show off their clean teeth could be a fun, small reward. The more fun and playful it is, the less likely kids will resist and the more likely it'll become second nature to them.
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SOURCE: OneMain Financial
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