Kids’ dental care is essential to their health and development—but as a parent, you probably know how difficult it can be to convince your child to brush their teeth regularly. Thankfully, there are several ways to make the process easier. Try the following tips to make brushing a positive experience for your child, so the next time you visit your children’s dentist, you can be proud of their pearly whites.

5 Tips for Kids’ Dental Hygiene

1. Start Early

One of the best ways to ensure your child will develop a strong brushing habit is to start early. Even before your child has teeth, you should regularly clean and massage their gums with a clean cloth. As soon as your child’s teeth start to appear, start gently brushing them. If you do this every day and create a routine, you can help them get used to the idea and form a lasting habit.

2. Teach by Example

Kids love to mimic their parents, so if you want your child to brush their teeth, one of the best ways is to show them how you brush. Explain what you’re doing at each step, and let them imitate you with their toothbrush and paste, even if they’re not old enough to be in charge of their own teeth cleaning just yet.

3. Let Them Pick

When you visit the toothpaste aisle of your local store, you’ll see many choices of colorful toothbrush designs and kid-friendly toothpaste flavors. Let your child pick out their own equipment—this will give them a sense of agency in their dental care and help them get excited about it.

4. Encourage Them to Brush

Another great way to let your kid feel in control is to encourage them to brush their teeth themselves. While they may need some help or a follow-up brush from a parent, letting them take the lead will help them learn how to brush correctly so they’ll be able to do it alone when they’re older.

5. Make It Fun

If you’re still having trouble getting your kid to brush, try adding some positive incentives to the experience. Make a game out of brushing, and praise your child when they brush. This will help make your kids’ dental hygiene a more positive experience.

By being sensitive to your child’s needs and helping them see brushing as fun and positive, you can help them maintain great dental hygiene throughout their lives. This will help keep their smiles beautiful and healthy.

If you need kids’ dental care on the island of Oahu, choose Keiki Dental in Ewa Beach, HI. Their friendly team is experienced in all areas of pediatric dentistry and offers board-certified care. To make an appointment, call (808) 680-9411 or get in touch online.