There are plenty of challenges when it comes to parenting teenagers. Yet one that is often not talked about is how gosh darn hard it can be to get them to brush their teeth! Yes, what with homework, social media, and all the other things they have going on in their lives at this age, teeth brushing can easily take a back seat, which can have a devastating impact on their oral health in the long run. The good news is there are some tactics you can use to encourage your teenager to take care of their teeth. Read on to find out what they are.
Help them understand what could happen if they don’t brush
You can’t put an old head on young shoulders, and it’s well known that teenagers struggle to imagine a future when they are not so young or don’t feel so invincible. However, carefully explaining the consequences of not brushing can help them to make better decisions day-to-day.
Of course, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about this. Nagging (as you already know) never works, but there are plenty of other tactics to try. For example, there are many videos on platforms like Youtube that explain and show just how bad teeth can get if they are not brushed each day. You will probably be able to find some blogs from folks that have gone through this experience too, and by getting your teenager to read them you can help them learn from the mistakes of others.
Take them to the dentist
Regular trips to the dentist for your teen are one of the most effective ways that you can encourage them to brush regularly. Indeed, a dentist will not only reinforce all the information that you have given them about oral health but will add objectivity and gravitas to the argument as well.
In addition to checkups, booking regular teeth cleanings for your teen is a good idea as well, as this can help to augment the brushing that they are doing, and inspire a sense of ownership and pride in the look and health of their teeth.
Incentivise tooth brushing
I know incentives can be controversial in some parents’ circles, but when it comes to teens they can work. Indeed, there are two approaches to consider here, the first is to incentivise your teen to brush your teeth by making it more fun, investing in the electric toothbrush they want, preferably with the digital timers and vibration guidance can be enough to help them establish good habits when it comes to teeth cleaning. If that doesn’t work, what about making a playlist together so they get to listen to their favourite podcast while they brush?
Alternatively, a reward system may be what is needed here. With the proviso being that they get a point every time they correctly brush their teeth, and a certain number of points can be chased in for prizes of their own choosing. This last bit is vital because you have to let them choose the items/rewards as this is what will motivate them to complete the task.
