Do you struggle to get your child to brush their teeth regularly, or even at all? You aren’t alone—it’s a challenge that many parents face! However, did you know that sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement and positive reinforcement to help your child maintain the habit? In fact, research confirms that parental praise makes a big difference. Here’s what you need to know, and some must-try strategies you can use.
Why Consistent Brushing Matters for Kids
Oral hygiene can feel like a small thing in the context of everything parents are responsible for, but the habits children form early in life often follow them for decades. This is why the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children brush for two full minutes, twice a day.
Surprisingly, tooth decay is among the most common chronic conditions affecting children, and its effects aren’t limited to just baby teeth. Untreated decay can also impact the development of permanent teeth, affect a child’s ability to eat and speak comfortably, and lead to more complex dental treatment down the road. Helping your child to avoid these issues is always going to benefit them, and praise is a powerful tool in this regard!
How Praise Keeps Children Brushing the Right Way
A recent study explored the relationship between parental praise and toothbrushing habits in children, and the results were clear: children who were praised by their parents brushed more frequently and for longer periods of time than those who weren’t! With that in mind, some strategies you can employ to help your child consistently brush include:
- Give specific praise – A quick “good job” doesn’t tell a child what they did well or why it matters. Instead, saying something like “You brushed every section and took your time” gives them something concrete to hold onto and repeat.
- Reward consistent effort – It’s safe to say that children respond better to things like oral hygiene when they’re incentivized. You can reward your child for their efforts, assuming they make it a daily habit, with a small, smile-friendly treat or outing to one of their favorite places.
- Make it a family activity – Brushing alongside your child, especially at younger ages, models the behavior you’re hoping to reinforce and makes the routine feel like something you do together, rather than something that’s forced onto them.
The goal is simple: make brushing feel like something your child is happy to do, rather than something they feel like they’re forced into! That way, they have the means to effectively care for their smile now and in the future.
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Tadros, our team here at Del Ray Dental has proudly served patients and families in Dallas and the surrounding DFW metroplex for several years. We offer a wide range of services, including children’s dentistry with the help of trusted, board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Ali Bayat. If you have any questions about the blog or you need to schedule an appointment for your child, please call or reach out online for more information. Telephone: (469) 917-7444.