Blog Post

Every parent undertakes a balancing act. On the one hand, you want to clarify what should be important to your child. On the other, you know that placing too much stress on something can make it feel burdensome and unenjoyable for your young one. 

Oral hygiene is a perfect example here. You want to emphasize the importance of good oral health habits. But if you’re too rigorous about implementing them, you might end up with a child who hates brushing and flossing.

We want to help. Because Sandi E. Silva, DDS, offers family dentistry care, she and our team have experience helping kids understand the importance of oral health in a way that’s as fun as possible for them. When you visit our office in Tustin, California, we can do our best to get your child excited about brushing and flossing.

Good oral health habits are built at home, though. And that means it falls to you to get your child engaged. Here are a few tips to help. 

Use media they like

Seeing their favorite characters brush and floss can show your kids just how cool it is to take care of their teeth. And fortunately, there’s plenty of child-friendly media that focuses on this subject. 

Whether your child loves Dora, Arthur, Fancy Nancy, or the Berenstain Bears, you can find a book they’ll probably like that explores going to the dentist or taking care of their teeth. There’s also a Dr. Suess book that focuses on the topic, aptly named The Tooth Book.

If your child prefers watching TV to reading, you’re still in luck. There’s both a Sesame Street and a Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood episode in which beloved characters visit the dentist.    

Let them pick the tools they use

You might have more luck getting your child to brush and floss if they’re excited about their oral health implements. Bring them to the store and let them choose a toothbrush and a toothpaste. 

Plenty of brands make kid-friendly toothpaste in flavors that they’ll look forward to putting in their mouth, like bubblegum or strawberry. Just make sure you look for the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance on any tubes of toothpaste you plan to bring home. 

Don’t forget about floss, either. Most kids find it easier to use floss picks. Finding picks in a color they like might help you encourage them to use these tools. 

Do it together

You have the chance to model good oral hygiene for your kids. Make brushing and flossing a family affair. You might even put on their favorite song while you all take care of your teeth to make it extra fun. 

And don’t forget, our team is here to help. To talk with us about your child’s preferences so we can recommend specific tips for them, schedule some time with Dr. Silva. Call our office to get your appointment booked today.