SMILES BETTER

THE BATTLE OVER ORAL HYGIENE IS ONE MANY PARENTS KNOW ALL TOO WELL. BY CAMILLA FOSTER

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GETTING kids to brush their teeth can often feel like an uphill struggle, complete with distractions, tears and tantrums.

But don't worry, as we've got your back. There are plenty of creative, fun, and simple ways to turn oral hygiene into a habit they look forward to.

Here some top dentists uncover some of the common reasons behind teeth-brushing tantrums and have complied some clever hacks to get your kids excited about taking care of their pearly whites.

What factors can lead to teeth-brushing tantrums?

There are many reasons why some young children struggle to brush their teeth, one being a lack of know-how.

"If kids haven't been properly shown how to brush their teeth, they may not do it effectively or might avoid it altogether," says James Goolnik, dentist and founder of Optimal Dental Health in London.

They might also dislike the taste of a par-ticular toothpaste.

"Mint can feel 'too spicy' for some kids," says James. "If they dislike the taste, they won't want to brush."