Showing your child what to do regarding an improvement they can make could be very valuable. But making them feel good about what they can do to help themselves can be even more important. Take teaching your child to brush their teeth, for example. Building their motivation to consistently perform a valuable, lifelong habit is a great thing to do for them. Keep reading to learn from a pediatric dentist in Cumming why you should encourage your child to handle brushing teeth on their own and how to go about it to promote children’s dental health.
Supported by Research
According to a study published in the journal Child Development, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, and the Santa Fe Institute evaluated how three-year-olds brushed their teeth and the connection between their efforts and how often they received praise from their parents.
Although the study only consisted of 81 children, they discovered over 16 days that most participants brushed longer when they received more praise and less instruction. The data was collected through surveys and video submissions from the parents.
Building Your Child’s Initiative to Brush Their Teeth
The first step you must take is to hand over the toothbrush to your child. It is the only way they’ll learn to effectively brush their own teeth. This may seem like more work initially but allowing them to steer the process is great for fostering improvement in their brushing skills, leading them to adopt better oral hygiene habits with age.
Naturally, you’ll need to assist to ensure they clean those hard-to-reach areas but while they’re holding the brush, be sure to offer appropriate praise. You can do this by:
- Focus more on their effort than the actual result. Yes, you want to make sure their teeth are clean but praising their attempt will encourage them to keep going.
- Consider the words you choose, using “Good job,” “You’re doing great,” or “very good.”
- Make eye contact with your child so they can see the expression on your face. Words mean a lot but so does facial movement.
Notice that your kids become more engaged with their oral hygiene as you offer more praise. By keeping these tips from a pediatric dentist in Cumming in mind, you can do a great job of promoting children’s dental health.
About the Author
Dr. Susan Podray-Donovan is the daughter of an orthodontist and her brother also became an orthodontist, so it’s definitely a family thing. A member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the certified children’s dentist at Village Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Podray-Donovan earned her dental doctorate from Temple University. Encouraging your little one to take care of brushing teeth on their own can foster a great habit, plus she will be sure to praise them for it during a dental checkup and cleaning which you can schedule on her website or by calling (678) 456-5572.