How to Make Brushing Fun with Xylitol Toothpaste for Kids

It can be tough to get your kids to understand the importance of hygiene. From washing behind their ears to brushing their teeth, kids need regular reminders to take care of themselves. If you’re looking for new ways to make brushing their teeth fun, especially if you’re using alternative toothpaste options, here are some tips to help out. Try out these tips to discover what works best for your kids.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that’s used as a natural sweetener. Typically sourced from fruits and veggies, xylitol also offers unique health benefits for your teeth, including bacteria reduction in your mouth. Unlike other sugars, bacteria can’t eat xylitol, reducing the chance of plaque and cavities. Here are a few Xylitol toothpaste benefits:

• Prevents plaque buildup
• Actively fights against cavities
• Increases saliva to help with remineralization
• Decreases harmful bacteria

Daily Recommended Dosage

A child’s recommended dose of xylitol is about 5 grams per day. You should split this dose into two or three doses for best effects. This can be after snacking or before going to bed. Whether you allow them to chew xylitol gum or encourage the use of xylitol toothpaste, your kids will be getting the full benefits of this unique ingredient.

Most kids will be excited to chew gum multiple times a day. However, some parents don’t want their little ones to develop gum-chewing habits and prefer the use of xylitol toothpaste. Keep reading for tips that get your kids excited about brushing their teeth more often.

Themed Toothbrushes

One way to get your kids excited about brushing their teeth is with themed toothbrushes and other accessories. You can encourage your little ones to shop for toothbrushes with you so they can choose their favorite colors. You can also explore toothbrush options that feature specific characters from their favorite books or television shows. Including your kids in the shopping process will make them feel like active participants in their own lives and ensure they’re excited about something they helped choose.

Delicious Toothpaste

Premium dental products can be very effective, but some of them just taste bad to kids. Luckily, many toothpaste brands know exactly what kids like and offer a variety of tempting flavors, including bubble gum, strawberry, watermelon, and more.

Again, involving your kids in the shopping process provides them with a sense of ownership over their self-care and hygiene, meaning they’re much more likely to use the products you’ve bought. Narrow down the flavor options and let your little ones choose their favorite one.

Make It A Game

Dentists recommend brushing for two minutes at a time, three times per day. Getting your kids involved in this routine can be tough, especially if you’re interrupting playtime or trying to get your little ones ready for the day. Turning this portion of your routine into a game helps make a chore fun. Consider having a competition for who can brush their teeth the longest, or who can make the silliest faces while brushing. You can also introduce brushing videos, timers, or songs into your routine.

Sing A Song

What little kid doesn’t love a good sing-along? Introducing music to your brushing routine could be the perfect solution for children who don’t have the patience to brush for two minutes. Whether you sing a made-up song or choose a new two-minute song each time you brush your teeth, dancing along to the music will help everyone keep time, ensuring your brushing routine is optimized and fun!

Brush All Together

Sometimes, your little ones don’t want to brush their teeth because you’re not brushing with them. They want to be mini-mes who do exactly what you do. So what’s the solution? Brushing your teeth as a family, of course! Family time while brushing your teeth shows them how important this part of the routine is, while ensuring you have a few extra minutes every day to bond. Make this a lighthearted, fun experience to ensure your kids are excited to get together in the bathroom and start brushing.

Reward Regular Brushing

The last solution you may want to try to use for encouraging healthy habits is rewarding regular brushing. You don’t want to give them a reward every time they brush their teeth, but you can set up a chart that rewards consistency. Keep track with fun stickers, and once they hit a milestone, you can offer them a reward, like going to the movies, getting a new toy, or spending the day at the zoo. Some milestones that can offer appropriate habit building and motivation include:

• Brushing twice each day for a whole week
• Brushing for the length of a song for two weeks
• Being the first to suggest teeth brushing three times

What milestones work for your family?

Make Brushing Fun

Ingraining hygiene habits should start young. As soon as your little one is able to brush their teeth on their own, you should start making the process as engaging as possible to encourage their participation. And if you prefer xylitol toothpaste, talk to your kids about the importance of the ingredients you choose for your personal care.