2 Easy Ways To Make Dental Hygiene More Fun For Your Toddler
As soon as their first tooth starts to come in, your little one should be brushing their teeth on a daily basis. Getting your toddler to keep up with proper dental habits as they age can be a challenge because let's face it, brushing isn't a fun task in the eyes of most kids. But without healthy hygiene habits, your toddler may develop cavities, gum disease, or a host of other dental health problems as time goes on. The trick to getting your kid excited about brushing on a regular basis is to make the process fun and exciting when possible – here are two easy ways to do just that:
Decorate a Dental Caddy
An excellent way to make brushing more enjoyable for your toddler is to decorate a dental caddy for the bathroom. Your child can use the caddy to manage all of their brushing accessories, which will help teach them some responsibility and make them feel good about how they care for their teeth. Your child is sure to be prideful of their caddy creation, which should make them want to take care of it and make use of it on a daily basis. Purchase a basic wooden or plastic dental caddy from a local store to use as a base, and then sit down with your child to decorate it using supplies such as paint, glitter, stickers, stencils, and permanent markers.
Make Some Homemade Toothpaste
Another effective way to keep your toddler interested in brushing regularly is to make some homemade toothpaste together. Making the toothpaste takes only minutes, and it can be kept in the fridge between uses for about a week before a new batch will need to be made. The strawberries in this toothpaste make the concoction sweet and tasty which your little one is sure to appreciate each time they brush.
Thanks to the astringents and vitamin C that are found in strawberries, this toothpaste will help keep teeth white between dental cleanings. And because your child will have a hand in making their own toothpaste, they'll be more likely to use it on a daily basis without having to be reminded. Here is what you and your child will need to make a batch of this tasty strawberry toothpaste:
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3 strawberries, fresh or frozen
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1 tsp hydrogen peroxide
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1 tsp water
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5-10 drops peppermint essential oil
Place your strawberries and water in a small reusable container and mash them with a fork until they become mushy. Then add the rest of your ingredients and continue mashing the concoction until it turns into a thick pink paste. You can dip your toothbrushes directly in the toothpaste if you're making a batch for each member of the household. If you're sharing a batch, keep a small spoon with the container so you can quickly transfer the paste to your toothbrushes.
These ideas should help encourage your child to take more interest in their dental health and to brush without complaining or having to be constantly reminded. Contact a business, such as Waller Ray DDS, for more information.
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