As a parent, you may be tempted to continue brushing your child’s teeth for them. Although you want them to be independent, it’s just easier if you do it, right? While this may be true, it certainly does not help your little one learn how to do it on their own. When handing over the reins to your child, you may notice a dramatic difference in how well they take care of their smile when they’re praised for brushing their teeth in McKinney. Read on to learn why and how you should plan to offer encouragement as your little one pursues better oral health.
What Researchers Are Saying
According to a study published in the journal, Child Development, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, and the Santa Fe Institute looked at 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 a small number of children (81), they discovered over 16 days that most children brushed longer when they received more praise and less instruction. The data was collected through surveys and video submissions from the parents.
How to Effectively Praise Your Child’s Toothbrushing Efforts
The first step you must take is to hand over the toothbrush to your child. This is the only way they’ll learn to effectively brush their own teeth. This may seem difficult at first but allowing them to drive the process can further their skills and abilities, leading them to adopt better oral hygiene habits as they grow older.
Naturally, you’ll need to assist to ensure they clean those hard-to-reach areas but while they’re holding the brush, you’ll want to make sure you’re offering appropriate praise. You can do this by:
- Focusing more on their attempt than the actual result. Yes, you want to make sure their teeth are clean but addressing their efforts will encourage them to keep going.
- Make eye contact with your child so they can see the expression on your face. Words mean a lot but so does facial movement. It also helps to get down on their level.
- Be mindful of the words you choose, using “Good job,” “You’re doing great,” or “very good.”
Watch your little ones become more engaged with their oral hygiene the more you offer praise. By keeping these tips in mind, you can ensure the success of your children’s dental health in McKinney.
About the Authors
At Sprout Dentistry for Kids, Dr. Justin Chan and Dr. Sage Yoo are board-certified pediatric dentists who are fathers first. Realizing most parents want to take control to make sure their child’s teeth and gums are clean and healthy, they encourage individuals to allow their children to become more independent when it comes to their oral hygiene routine. Visit our website or call (469) 294-8217 if you want to learn what you can do to praise your child in a way that promotes better oral health.