Tired of nagging them to brush every day?
At, Urban Dental, we know that some children love brushing their teeth…
Others not quite so much.
But regardless we all know that toothbrushing is something we should be doing at least twice a day, for two minutes, whether we like it or not.
So how can we make kids enjoy brushing their teeth?
At, Urban Dental, we find that many children do not really understand why we brush our teeth.
They tell us it is to keep them clean or so they don’t get holes. Yet, this is generally the limit of their understanding.
So, at Urban Dental, we think it is important to explain to children why we brush our teeth, starting with trying to understand what and how plaque affects our dental health. But we need to remember to do this in language that they understand!
So, what is dental plaque?
Dental plaque is the soft, sticky layer which coats our teeth and is difficult to see.
Plaque can be thought of as lots of tiny little bugs and germs that are living in our mouth.
When we eat and drink it feeds the bugs and helps them to grow big and strong. But because there are lots of places for food to hide around our mouth, it means there is lots of leftovers for the bugs to snack on whenever they want.
Cleaning our teeth for two-minutes, twice a day helps to remove leftover food and to wash away the bugs.
Because… if the bugs are left on our teeth, they can slowly eat away at our teeth and cause holes.
Holes can make our teeth hurt. The bugs can also make our gums sore and red.
Once children understand how plaque can damage their teeth it can help them to appreciate why toothbrushing is important.
At Urban Dental, we also have a few tips and tricks which can help make toothbrush time easier in your house. So, keep reading to find out more!
Tell, show, do:
Tell and explain to your child why we clean our teeth.
Show them how to clean their teeth properly.
Do it - start brushing.
For some children it can also help for them to see you cleaning your teeth – tell them you clean your teeth too, show them how you brush, they then want to do it too!
Track the brush:
A toothbrushing chart can be a great motivator to help child to track their brushing progress. It helps them to take pride in their efforts when they have successfully completed their chart. Having a reward or incentive can also help them to stay motivated and complete their toothbrushing chart.
Next time you here, at Urban Dental, be sure to ask us for a copy of our toothbrushing chart - as we would love to give you one to help get you started!
Disclose the plaque:
Disclosing tablets can be a great way to motivate kids to brush. And at Urban Dental we think can be fun for the whole family!
Plaque is basically invisible, so when you chew on a disclosing tablet it dyes the plaque. This can help kids to understand more about plaque and now they can see exactly where they are missing when they are brushing.
Let them choose:
Sometimes letting your child choose their toothbrush can help. Something as simple as a colour can make a big difference!
Remember though to always make sure though that the toothbrush still has a small, soft head.
Try not to nag:
The more we nag, the less responsive kids tend to become.
At Urban Dental, we suggest you try to encourage your child to take ownership of toothbrushing. This make makes them feel more independent and in control.
A great way to do this to let them brush first, then afterwards you brush … just to check to see how well they did!
There are also some great songs and apps which can help make toothbrushing more fun. Have a look and let your child choose one. And remember if that song starts to lose their interest, let them select a new one!
Hopefully, these tips will help get you started!
But if you are still struggling then we would recommend that you take your child to see a dental professional... as sometimes, just hearing it from someone else can make a huge difference!
From all the team at, Urban Dental, we hope that toothbrushing is no longer a dreaded part of your family’s daily routine. And don’t forget… that we are always here to help.
So, if you have any questions or concerns, we welcome you to call us on 07 3839 9488 to arrange a consultation with one of our friendly team!
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