As a parent, it can be challenging to get your toddler to brush their teeth. Luckily, there are ways to help your young child establish a proper dental care routine, setting them up for good oral health in the future. If you have a little one refusing to clean their teeth, make the learning process easier by following the tips below.

How Can You Get Toddlers to Brush Their Teeth?

1. Make it Fun

Often, a child doesn't want to practice their dental care routine because it feels like a chore. Change this mindset by making it a fun activity they can look forward to. A toothbrush featuring their favorite colors or characters will get them more excited to use it, so let them pick one when shopping. While they brush their teeth, play songs and encourage them to sing along. Videos or books about oral hygiene with popular characters can also help familiarize them with the process. 

2. Provide Assistance 

Many toddlers don't have the desire or motor skills to brush their teeth themselves. Therefore, help them practice by guiding them. While brushing their teeth, tell them what you are doing and why. For example, explain that moving back and forth to clean the tooth helps prevent cavities. 

As you teach them good dental care habits, have them practice the strokes on a toy until they are ready to try on their own. Once their motor skills improve, you can start brushing their teeth and let them finish, allowing them to understand how it works.

3. Model Good Behavior

Parents need to model the behavior they want to instill in their children. When it's time to brush your teeth, let your child watch or have them do it alongside you. This approach will help them quickly get accustomed to the practice. Turning this into a family bonding activity also encourages them to follow your example, leading to an excellent lifelong habit.  

Along with making tooth brushing fun, help your child establish good oral hygiene habits by regularly visiting James Julien, DDS, in Kenai, AK. For over 20 years, Dr. Julien and his team have provided area residents with quality dental care services, including checkups and teeth cleanings. This practice also offers gentle, personalized care and same-day appointments. For more information on their services, visit the website or call (907) 283-4857 today.