Is Your Teen Too Cool For Oral Hygiene? 3 Ways To Get Them To Brush And Floss Without A Major Battle

You still remember how proud your kid was when they first started brushing their teeth alone. Now, you can't help but cringe every time you see their dry toothbrush. Unfortunately, many teens go through a stage when oral hygiene takes a backseat to more exciting things such as sending messages on their social media accounts. As disturbing as it may be, the good news is that teens tend to start brushing again once they begin dating. Until then, you can use these tips to get them to brush up on their oral hygiene.

Tap Into What Matters

Teens today are snapping selfies left and right, yet even the coolest filter isn't going to hide a big gap in your teenager's smile. Talk to your teen about how brushing their teeth is what keeps them shiny and white. If necessary, leave out a few pamphlets that show what happens when a person neglects their smile. Since teens sometimes feel as though their youthful looks will last forever, this can be a big reality check that sends them straight to the bathroom to brush.

Help Them Create an Oral Hygiene Routine

Between school, sports, and a possible part-time job, your teen might honestly forget to brush their teeth. It is also common for teens to feel strapped for time. While the ideal time to brush teeth is in the morning and at night, the truth is that anytime is better than not at all. Get your teenager a toothbrush that they can carry in their sports or school bag, and tell them to brush when they get a break or at lunch. You can also set an alarm to remind them to brush at dinner. This way, their smartphone is the thing to blame, and you don't have to worry about your reminder turning into a battle.

Introduce New Ways to Brush and Floss

Open up an honest discussion with your teen about why they skip brushing and flossing. Often, this reveals information that you may not have thought of before. For example, your teen may not feel like they know how to floss correctly, and knowing this allows you to ask their dentist to help them at their next checkup. You can also use things such as electric toothbrushes and water flossers to make the whole process easier.

It sometimes seems as though teens give up on their teeth right around the time that their adult teeth come in. By staying on top of it, you can help them preserve their precious smile without having to turn oral hygiene into a battle every evening.

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