The school year is in full swing, and your family’s weekday routine is probably well-established. But do you still find yourself nagging your kids to brush their teeth? Put an end to the nagging with help from the pediatric dentists at Pedodontic Associates. With locations on Oahu and Maui, these professionals are experts when it comes to making dental care fun for kids. Their team offers the following suggestions to help you hone your weekday oral hygiene routine, so your family can get out the door on time and with sparkling clean teeth. 

4 Easy Ways To Improve Your Dental Care Routine

Use A Timer

From toddlers to pre-teens, inspire your kids to move through their morning routine with a timer. Most pediatric dentists recommend brushing for at least two minutes per session, this way your child has time to cover every surface of each tooth. Whether your kids brush before or after breakfast, establish a routine and stick with it. To help keep the momentum going, try using a musical timer—the duration of one song should offer plenty of time to brush. 

Floss At Night

In addition to brushing, you should also encourage your kids to floss daily. The children’s dentists at Pedodontic Associates suggest flossing at night, so your family doesn’t rush through their routine before catching the school bus.

Offer A Reward

Dental care becomes instantly more fun if you can associate brushing and flossing with a reward. When it comes to choosing a reward, it’s best to go with something simple: for instance, lots of kids will appreciate an extra five minutes of playtime before bed. This will also encourage kids not to cut corners and rush through their nighttime oral hygiene routine—they won’t feel like they’re “missing out” while brushing. Keep in mind that it’s essential for your child to get adequate sleep every night; check the National Sleep Foundation website to determine how much sleep your child needs at different developmental stages.

Use A Motivational Chart

Try a motivational chart to get your kids to brush their teeth at least twice a day. Many parents use this system when potty training, and it works for dental care, too. Kids earn stickers for brushing, and when they accumulate a certain amount, you can determine a small reward that works for your child. This same concept will work as your kids get older. Make sure to enhance it so it remains age-appropriate for grade-school kids and into the teen years.

If your children brush at least twice a day and floss at night, they’re well on their way to a lifetime of dazzling smiles. Receiving routine dental care at least once every six months is also essential to their health.

If you live in Aiea, call Pedodontic Associates at (808) 487-7933 to schedule an appointment; if you’re in Honolulu, call (808) 735-1733; or if you need a pediatric dentist in Kahului, call (808) 877-0066. You can also visit the team online to learn more about dental care for kids.