Setting the Stage
Watching movies about the tooth fairy could get your child excited about their teeth on its own but will be more effective with proper planning. Try to schedule the movie watching near a child’s dental appointment, or when they have a loose tooth, so the fun is still fresh in their minds.
It can be essential to increase your child’s interest and involvement in their oral care to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. The good news is that the habits they build now could help keep their smile healthy through childhood and adulthood.
Any activity that encourages your child to think about the subject matter could offer lasting effects by merely earning their attention. The more fun the activity, the less difficult it will be to talk to your child about otherwise dry topics like dental care. Help them have fun taking care of their teeth, and they’ll be on their way to avoiding cavities in no time.
Some easy ideas to learn about dental care with the Tooth Fairy movie:
- Play dress up: Crafting or purchasing a costume is a great way to get your child engaged in the subject matter. A tooth fairy, toothbrush, scary bacteria, or happy tooth are all easy costumes sure to capture your child’s imagination. After dressing up, you can play games like fighting against the bad guys of plaque or saving your tooth from monsters of decay-causing bacteria with a toothbrush.
- Offer healthy treats: No movie night is complete without snacks. Instead of stocking up on soda or candy, choose some mouth-healthy alternatives. Fruits, vegetables, green tea, or dairy products are healthy choices. Veggies cut for dipping, sliced fruit, and string cheese are all easy picks when your child’s eyes are glued to the screen.
- Scavenger hunt: Try incorporating dental care items into a unique game, so they have to seek them out. Hide these items around the house, create a list of clues and tell your child the tooth fairy has hidden prizes for them to find. An example could be putting floss under their pillow and making the clue, “you’ll find a reward where the tooth fairy leaves their treasures.”
- Create a reward board: If your child has trouble remembering to brush consistently, consider hanging a whiteboard or wall calendar to track habits like brushing or flossing. As an example, offer a prize if they can brush every morning and night for a week. Tell them that they will have strong teeth like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and reward them with another movie night or other prize.
Did you know: Chewing sugar-free gum helps promote saliva production that protects the hard outer layer of your child’s teeth. Just make sure they’re supervised, so they don’t stick it on your furniture!