After a long, busy day, it’s tempting to give in to your child’s desires to skip brushing their teeth before bed. Unfortunately, if you give in, you’ll face a fight every evening at bedtime; plus, you’ll increase their risk of cavities and other problems. To make bedtime routines more fun and make a habit of teeth brushing more likely to stick, children dentist Paul K. Seo, DDS, at Dentistry For Kids in Pearl City, HI, offers the following tips.

How to Create a Fun Teeth Brushing Routine Before Bed

1. Bookend Teeth Brushing With a Fun Activity

Maybe, before getting ready for bed, your child gets to play with a favorite toy, and after they’ve brushed their teeth, you’ll sit and read a book together. Whatever you choose, make it part of their bedtime routine and keep it in the same order. This will help them develop a consistent habit of brushing before bed.

2. Give Your Kids Some Choices

Consider buying two types of children dentist-approved toothpaste and let them choose which one they want to use each night. You can also let them pick out a fun-colored toothbrush at the store to get them excited about the prospect of using it each day and night. These small choices may seem trivial, but they can go a long way in getting your kids excited about their oral care.

3. Do a Song & Dance

Do your kids have a favorite song that’s about 2 minutes long? Put it on every time they brush their teeth. This way, they’ll know exactly how long they need to brush for, and they’ll have more fun doing it. You can even come up with a “tooth brushing dance” to do while they’re brushing—use their free hand to do jazz fingers or alternate kicking their feet out.

4. Make a Chart

For every time your child brushes their teeth mark it on a chart with a fun sticker. They’ll get to see the progress they’ve made, and you can even reward them after they’ve brushed for a set number of days or weeks in a row. Things like a trip to a park or library or even a new toy are all good rewards.

In addition to fun and consistent bedtime routines, remember that your children should see a pediatric dentist twice a year for teeth cleanings and routine checkups. If you want your kids to see the best children dentists possible, call Dentistry For Kids at (808) 486-8881 to schedule an appointment. For more information about the practice and the services they offer, visit their website.