How do you get your 13 yr old to brush and floss!?
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well I don't really know what to tell you except:
I'm 15, and I was like that. The more my mom told me to brush and floss, the less I wanted to do it! But when she stopped bugging me about it, I realised she was right, and did it. and as long as she doesn't congratulate me on my good decision, I'll keep doing it.
the same goes for anything:
The more you tell her to do something, the less she'll want to do it.
and for the answer above me:
That would NOT work for me.
I would get pissed and embarassed, and would never brush my teeth, just to show my mom that I hate what she did.
take her to the dentist and let him scold her ..
Invite a boy over that she knows from school and have him tell her in front of you, that she should brush and floss so her gums didn't look so gross.
I guarantee, she will start from that point forward.
if your daughter continues not to brush and floss calmly explain to her what can happen and how it can effect her.if she continues not to listen to you then start making small punishments.good luck :)
tell them its bugs crowling n thier mounth
tell her if u don't brush ur teeth then ur gums will bleed and u most likely wil get denchers early and i know u don't want that! Hope this helps! *hugz*
take her to the dentist and ask them to show her pics of how her mouth would look if she doesn't brush or floss(or to save a trip look for some on the net) and keep encouraging her to so she can have healthy teeth...also lead by example usually kids rebel things like this b/c their parents do also;)
Give her "rewards" for brushing. Make up a checklist for each day of the week where she can check off brushing and flossing. Let her earn priveleges for doing so...For example say that she gets one point each time that she flosses/brushes. Come up with a list of rewards (i.e. having a friend sleepover, getting a favorite dinner made, gift cards, etc). Attach a point value to each reward. 15 pts=sleepover. Let her "cash" in her points to earn a reward.
Did you start good dental hygiene when she was a small child? That has a lot to do with maintaining good habits as one gets older. She is also a teenager and telling her to do it will not help. She needs to hear it from others. I bet if one of her peers said something about her mouth she would listen. Do you take her to the dentist for cleaning on a regular basis? Gingivitis is not just an 'older' person issue. Any age can get it. Sounds like she already does.
Get her a really nice toothbrush like those rotating ones that she will love to use. Make cleaning her teeth fun to do. Or you both can brush together, until she feels comfortalbe doing on her own...
and/or
If you want her to learn about the bad things that will happen if she doesn't, then tell her the dangerous consequences, along with her dentist talking to her about the risks of not brushing and flossing her teeth.
Hope I helped
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