As a parent, you might be well aware of how hard it is to get your child to do certain things. You may struggle getting them to put away their toys or helping you set the table, but also with brushing and flossing as well! It can be tricky getting your loved one to build great oral health habits, but praising them can potentially make their dental hygiene more into a routine. Here’s what you need to know and how you can go about it.
Can Praise Help My Child Brush Their Teeth More Often?
In a study published in the Society for Research in Child Development, researchers sought to find the impact that praise can have on daily brushing habits in three-year-olds. Parents were asked to submit videos of nightly toothbrushing over 16 days. These recordings included letting children do the habit on their own and audio where some families showed praise during and beforehand.
The results found that persistence in brushing varied day-to-day, but children tend to stick with it and do it for longer when their parents gave positive feedback with less instruction. Generic phrases like “good job” and more specific instances were noticed in being effective and helping kids stay with this habit.
That said, authors of the study have noted that this has its limitations, but there is evidence that doing it can influence good oral habits.
How Can I Praise My Child for Brushing Their Teeth?
With that being said, while praise can do great things for helping your loved one brush their teeth, there is a right way to do it. Here are a few tips you should keep in mind:
- Be sincere with what you say. Kids are perceptive, so be genuine with what you mention. Even if there is work to be done, focus on small things that can be complemented.
- Try not to overdo it and strike a balance. Doing it too often lessens the impact, but it’s also good to praise the same things to reinforce them. Watch how your child reacts to build a good sense of when you should.
- Emphasize other aspects of brushing, like your loved one remembering to do it themselves or taking time to get their molars.
Although you might already praise your loved one about other things in their life, don’t forget to do it about their smile as well! A little can go a long way to helping them build good habits.
About the Practice
At North Garland Family Dental, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Yaritza Vazquez and Dr. Scott Peterson. We are dedicated to helping people of all ages in the local community get the stronger smiles they deserve. While as a parent you might struggle with taking care of your child’s smile, we are happy to offer a way to protect their growing grin. If you want tips about your loved one’s at-home routine, schedule an appointment or call our office at (972) 530-7979.
