5 Ways to Make Dental Hygiene Fun for Preschoolers

Dental hygiene is a lifelong practice, so it’s important to set your child up for a lifetime of healthy dental habits! You can make teeth-cleaning and dentist check-ups fun for your little one by finding ways to make oral hygiene an interesting and fun preschool activity for them. These five parenting tips can help your child develop healthy habits around tooth-brushing.

1. Do it together!
   Young children have a tendency to imitate the adults around them, so why not use this to your advantage? Spend some quality time together with your child in the morning and the evening brushing and flossing together, and use this time to teach your little one how to properly use floss, clean between their teeth, and brush those teeth in the back of their mouth.
   
2. Invest in a fun toothbrush
   Does your little one have a favorite cartoon character? Chances are high that there’s a toothbrush featuring that very character! Get your child excited for tooth brushing by letting them pick out their own soft-bristled toothbrush adorned with their favorite colors and characters.
   
3. Pick a tasty toothpaste
   Little ones can be picky, and many will turn their nose up at your typical minty fresh toothpaste flavors. Try a fruity flavor or a bright color to encourage your child to get brushing!
   
4. Sing some tooth-brushing songs!
   There are lots of fun songs out there to engage your child while brushing their teeth! Pick a catchy tune that encourages your little one to brush; one that they can hum along to as they go. Playgarden Online’s Morning Song encourages healthy brushing, which you can find in our Music Library with your PG membership.
   
5. Read books that encourage dental health
   Reading aloud to your little one is a great way to learn, and you can find tons of preschool books on dental hygiene (and other preschool activities) that your child will love. Some of our favorites include Why Do I Need to Brush My Teeth? by Caressa Simmons, Brush, Brush, Brush! by Alicia Padron, and The Tooth Book by Mark Bacera.

You don’t have to be an expert to teach your little one about hygiene, but you can always ask your child’s dentist for even more tips on encouraging positive teeth-brushing and oral hygiene habits to develop a lifelong interest in taking care of their teeth!