Brushing our teeth for two minutes twice a day is a primary way we keep plaque and bacteria from getting an upper hand on our oral health. We want to make sure our kids have that routine firmly in place at an early age, continuing for the rest of their lives. That way, their teeth and gums will likely last just as long!
Letting children choose their own toothbrush or toothpaste helps make the routine more personal for them. But standing in front of the mirror for 120 seconds while actually striving to do a good job brushing their teeth might seem daunting or even drab for some children. How can you make sure they brush well for the full duration of two minutes?
There are some electric toothbrushes that not only have a two-minute countdown timer, but also alert you if you’ve spent too much time on a particular part of your mouth. Another option is to start a countdown timer when your child begins brushing, but that feels strict and stressful for some. Either may work for your child, but are there other options?
Engage Their Ears
As we discussed in an earlier article, many musicians have composed songs that last about two minutes. If you look up “kids brush teeth music” on Youtube, you’ll find many options that might appeal to your child – the majority lasting about two minutes. You can also look up websites like The Inspiration Edit or Mouth Healthy for links to videos that feature favorite celebrities and happy melodies that help little ones keep the toothbrush rhythm going.
Nevertheless, it’s important for your child to make brushing their teeth their own routine. Let them choose what song they’d like to hear as they brush. Go through the list with them or try different songs for each session. Find the ones that appeal to them the most and stick with it! The goal is to help them brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day. If their music choice doesn’t appeal to you, focus on how this is helping them build the proper routine.
Keep the Dental Rhythm
As their oral care routine becomes habit, it’s also important to remember dental checkups. Make sure to keep your child’s appointments with the Yuba City Dentistry Group. It’s the best way to see how your child’s teeth are doing. If you need to schedule a visit for you or your child, you can do so either by phone or by using our online form.
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