5 Tricks to Get Kids Excited about Brushing

Just like eating greens and veggies, brushing isn’t always an activity children greet with excitement. In their eyes it’s considered a chore, and what kid wants to do a chore every morning and evening? If you’re worried about your children’s resistance to brushing twice a day, here’s a couple tricks to put the fun into a solid tooth-brushing regimen:

1. Get a fun toothbrush.

Getting your child a toothbrush he or she is excited about can make all the difference. There are plenty of children’s toothbrushes out there made to look like Disney characters, race cars, dinosaurs, and anything your child fancies. Shop together with your child and have him or her pick out their favorite one. This also applies to toothpaste, too!

2. Brush together.

Make brushing a family affair and lead by example. Kids naturally want to be just like mom and dad so show them that brushing twice a day is an important habit to develop healthy teeth and a bright smile.

3. Create a reward system.

Incentivizing your child in a small way could encourage them to brush his or her teeth to help establish good oral habits. Creating a sticker chart for the entire month is a great way to track progress. After a month of stickers and constant brushing, allow your child to pick  a prize of their choice.

4. Make a game out of it.

Kids love a good game. Have them sing a song for the recommended two minutes of brushing. Or, better yet, give them a timer to countdown and watch the time. Last, but certainly not least, create a story. “The plaque monsters and sugar bugs will make holes in our teeth if we don’t brush them away!” Create a story, make a countdown, sing a song - find the right combination that works for your child.

5. Compliment your kids.

As with any task you want your child to accomplish, compliment them when they brush well. Praise can go a long way to help a child think positively and develop a good attitude towards a specific task such brushing your teeth.

What other fun tactics have you used to put the excitement into teeth-brushing? We’d love to hear from the momma’s out there! If you have any questions about children orthodontics treatment, contact us today.

(Image Credit: makelessnoise, Flickr)

Celebrating February with Red Color Ties

Roses are red, violets are blue. We’re celebrating February with red color ties, how about you? Poems may not be our forte, but celebrating the month of love in true orthodontic fashion is! This February, for every child who chooses red color ties around their braces, we will donate $1 to the American Heart Association.  

The Idea:

The Red Color Tie campaign came about in a very organic way; a couple of employees chatting over coffee realized that kids love to change the color of their braces for seasonal holidays. So, why not take the opportunity to turn the holiday cheer into a giving back opportunity? The patients get to show off their red smiles, while we make a charitable donation to an organization close to our hearts, the American Heart Association. A win-win for everyone!

What are color ties?

The part of the braces that come in different colors is the elastic tie. The elastic tie, officially called an elastic ligature, is a tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket and holds the archwire in place. Changing the colors of your elastic ties is a fun way for children to give their braces a fresh new look.

The color red:

Choosing the color of your braces is one way to express your personality! So what does the color red have to say about you? You are extroverted, optimistic, brave, and confident. You find a sense of excitement in everyday situations. You have a passion and enthusiasm for life and are not afraid to pursue your dreams and goals. In February especially, it is also a sign of love and compassion.

Red smiles:

Our February campaign has kicked off with a bang! It is so nice to see so many children choosing red color ties in honor of our pledge to donate to the American Heart Association. Love is in the air at our two office locations in the North Hills and Squirrel Hill and here are some happy smiles to prove it:

Thank you to every child so far who has chosen the color red for February! Whether you have an appointment booked or need to schedule one for February, make sure to hop on the red color tie bandwagon! You’re heart and smile will thank you.