It’s pretty hard to get children to clean their smiles, especially when they’re little. They’d much rather play, explore, and socialize than protect and maintain their long-term oral health. That said, there’s some good news for today’s parents: praising kids for brushing their teeth improves their oral care. Your Hillsboro pediatric dentist can even prove it with solid research. So, please keep reading to see why praise helps youngsters look after their grins.
Praising & Pediatric Oral Health
When you praise your child for brushing, you aren’t spouting empty words. Your feedback makes them more likely to brush regularly and thoroughly in the future.
This conclusion comes from a 2021 study by university researchers, published in Child Development. It found that three-year-olds brushed longer on days when parents praised more and instructed less. In response, study researcher Allyson Mackey concluded that “[their] work is the first to show that fluctuations in parent praise relate to fluctuations in child persistence.” It really seems that kids brush their teeth more persistently when parents show their approval.
How to Praise Your Child Properly
Of course, not just any praise will improve your child’s oral care. You’ll need to take specific steps to ensure your encouragement comes across well. As for what those measures are, consider these tips:
- Adapt Your Language – Adults may benefit from constructive criticism, but kids prefer simple and friendly statements. Use phrases like “good job” and “you’re doing great” to motivate your tyke to keep brushing.
- Look into Their Eyes – Children gauge your sincerity and interest through eye contact. Given that fact, watch them closely as they brush. They’ll see you’re paying attention and that you value their actions!
- Emphasize Their Efforts – Right now, your main goal is to build better oral habits for your child. That means you should encourage them to keep trying and praise their persistence.
- Do Plenty of Smiling – If you really want to motivate your youngster, show your smile to them. You’d give them a glimpse of the grin they’re trying to reach!
If you praise your kids for brushing their teeth, they’ll start their oral care journey on the right foot. Remember that as you look into your family’s pediatric dental options!
About the Practice
The Dentists at Orenco for Kids is based in Hillsboro, TX. Led by Drs. Beltzner and Royse, our practice is always eager to give your child a thriving grin. We thus offer preventive, restorative, and even emergency oral care, all tailored to each kiddo’s unique smile. Our team can also provide your youngsters with sedation for calmer and more relaxed treatment. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (503)-640-6565.