Kids Activities & Dental Care

Kids go through phases where they don't like bathing or brushing their teeth. This can be frustrating to go through as a parent because you want your child to use proper hygiene and be healthy. Try making teeth brushing a fun activity and your kids will be intrigued by it and perhaps even excited about.

Everybody Brush

• Encourage your child to brush by allowing her to brush your teeth for you. Tell her what a great job she did and then ask her to show you how she does it on her teeth. You can also let her brush her plastic baby doll's teeth to further demonstrate her skills. Heaping your child with praise should keep her motivated to brush.

Plaque Discolsing Tablets

• Buy plaque-disclosing tablets at the drug store and have your child chew one before she brushes. Show her all the gross plaque that the tablets have colored. Make it a game to get rid of the plaque before it takes over her mouth.

Reward System

• Time your child's mouth-washing and brushing and provide a reward if they use mouth wash for 30 seconds and brush for two minutes. Tell them they will get to stay up 15 minutes later, watch their favorite show before school or be read two stories instead of one. Timing the child takes his mind off the activity itself by giving him a goal and a reward to look forward to.

Magical Dentist

• Convince your child to brush their teeth by playing make-believe games. The A Child Grows website suggests pretending you are a magical dentist who gives powers to children who brush their teeth. Put on a goofy hat or crown and tell your child that the magic dentist is visiting and wants to give her super strong teeth or make her hair grow like Rapunzel's. Her curiosity should lure her in so that you can brush her teeth. In the morning, tell her how much stronger her teeth look or that her hair already looks longer.