Having toddlers can seem rough when you're in the moment; especially when it comes to getting them to brush their teeth. But, as your kids get older, you slowly realize that you have less and less control over them and their oral hygiene habits. If you are having a hard time getting your teenager to brush their teeth and take care of their oral hygiene, then this article is definitely for you. Read on to learn some ways that you can get your teenager to care about their oral health.

Show Them Videos

Teenagers these days don't respond to anything quite as well as media. Try finding videos online or ask your dentist of videos showing patients with bad oral hygiene. These sorts of images will hopefully be enough to scare your teenager into taking better care of their teeth and mouth. If your child still doesn't get the point after showing them these videos, then you can always take them to the dentist and have them talk to them. 

Give Them An incentive

Who doesn't love a good old-fashioned incentive? Tell your child that the next time they get a clean bill of health from the dentist that they get to go on a small shopping trip or that you'll treat them and their friends to the movies. By giving them something to be invested in (other than their oral health) it will hopefully encourage them to start brushing and flossing more.

Stop Buying Sugary Drinks

Does your child drink a lot of sports energy drinks, juice, or soda when they get home? You may not realize it, but these beverages have a ton of sugar in them, which may be leading to them getting cavities. Instead of keeping these drinks in your house, try stocking your fridge full of bottled water or get your child a reusable water bottle that they will use a lot. Water isn't just good for their body, but it also is sugar-free and speeds up the salivary glands, which work to keep your teeth clean.

It can be beyond challenging to be the parent of a teenager (especially if they are stubborn). If your child's oral health has gone down the drain, then make sure that you use the tips in this article to encourage them to start caring more about their teeth. To learn some more, contact your family dentist today and see what else they would recommend.