13/02/2023
Do you ever feel like your nightly routine is a struggle, defined by begging, pleading, and bribing your little ones to brush their teeth? For most parents, getting kids to brush their teeth can be like pulling teeth. Or, in other words, near-impossible. But luckily, parents whose kiddos have gone on strike from this healthy habit can rejoice: the experts say there are real reasons that kids hate brushing their teeth. We’ve also rounded up some tips on how to get your kids excited about the task.
TIPS:
Let your toddler pick the supplies. Take your tot to the store and let him choose his own brush and toothpaste with fluoride. A colorful character on the brush’s handle may not inspire you, but it might make all the difference in coaxing a toddler to brush his teeth. Let him pick the toothpaste too, so that he’s sure to like the flavour, using a rice-sized amount of toothpaste for kids under 3 and a pea-sized amount for kids 3 to 6, to reduce the risk of fluorosis (white lines caused by too much fluoride).
Lower your expectations. Your child probably won’t be cleaning the gum lines or reaching into tiny crevices just yet. Don’t sweat it. These early lessons are as much about instilling the habit as they are about technique. The more practice he gets, the faster he’ll improve.
Take turns. If you’re really worried that your toddler’s teeth aren’t getting properly cleaned while he’s learning to take the reins, let him do the morning brushing session while you handle the evening one. That way, he’ll get practice brushing on his own in the a.m., but he’ll also get a reminder of your technique in the p.m. Nighttime is also a good opportunity for you to get him used to flossing once a day before brushing (unlike brushing, flossing is something you’ll want to do for him at this point).
Brush along with him. Join your toddler while he brushes his teeth: a little camaraderie might encourage him to take a little longer for a more thorough cleaning. Try stepping it up a notch by setting up a competition (Who can brush every tooth first?).
Take a spin. Consider giving your child a battery-powered spin toothbrush. The novelty might coerce teeth brushing. Plus, there are some toothbrushes that play a song until it’s time to stop, or signal that two minutes are up by making a noise, encouraging your child to practice patience and get the job done right.
Find an ally. Ask the dentist to praise your child for brushing his teeth himself. Getting the thumbs-up from an authority in a white jacket might encourage your toddler to soldier on.
Getting your child to brush his teeth might not be the easiest habit to instill, but hopefully, these tips will get him started on a habit that will set him up for lifelong dental health.
