Getting your children to brush their teeth can be a tedious task, particularly when they’re young and don’t understand the benefits. Here are 10 top tips to help make your life, as a parent, that little bit easier…
Regular teeth brushing is essential for good dental health and should be maintained throughout a lifetime.
Typically, most babies start teething at around six months, so it’s imperative to brush your children’s teeth from a young age and to encourage them to brush their own as they get older.
Although your little ones may kick up a fuss when it’s time to start cleaning, it’s in your best interest to implement a strict routine alongside regular trips to the dentist to avoid a medical and financial emergency.
Sadly, compensation for dental negligence is on the rise, so don’t just rely on your dentist and make sure you’re also inspecting in-between appointments.
So, how can you encourage children to brush their teeth and are there any methods that ease them into the process? Read on for a few ideas…
1. Use a Timer
Often children don’t want to brush their teeth because they see it as a chore. If this is the case for your toddler, why mix it up and turn it into a game? Purchase a two-minute timer so your child can race against the clock while brushing their teeth.
From colourful sand timers to loud bell timers that ring when the time is up, timers are bound to inject a bit of fun into the process. Your children will also become accustomed to the amount of time they should be spending brushing their teeth each day.
2. Buy an Electric Toothbrush
Similarly to an egg timer, an electric toothbrush is a great way of letting your children know when they have finished brushing their teeth.
Nowadays, most modern electric toothbrushes have an installed timer that automatically vibrates the toothbrush after two minutes.
With toothbrushes varying from colourful patterns to ones with your child’s favourite cartoon on them, there are plenty of designs to choose from to get your child excited about the activity ahead.
3. Brush Teeth During an Ad Break
Most children don’t want to stop watching TV to go and brush their teeth.
Thankfully, TV advertisements usually last between two to three minutes which gives your child plenty of time to rush upstairs and brush their teeth before their favourite show starts again.
Get ready for the programme to end, have your child’s toothbrush and toothpaste at the ready and make sure that although it’s a timed exercise, they don’t miss any teeth!
4. Reward Good Behaviour
Remember to reward good behaviour so your child continues to make the right choices. This is particularly important for children that have struggled to get into the routine of brushing their teeth.
Whether it’s an extra hour at the park or their favourite meal for dinner, offering incentives will see you reap the rewards and will encourage your youngsters to follow the rules.
5. Talk About the Tooth Fairy
Reignite some mystical excitement back into your child’s life and talk about the tooth fairy as a way of urging them to look after their teeth.
Remind your children that the tooth fairy only rewards children who have been keeping to a good brushing routine.
Nowadays, you can even buy a personalised tooth fairy kit that includes objects such as a little bag to wrap their tooth up in, a notepad to write a message to the tooth fairy, and a tin to keep their coins safe.
6. Get the Whole Family Involved
There’s no better way but to lead by example. Get the whole family involved and turn brushing your teeth together into a bedtime routine. This way, your little one won’t feel like they’re being picked on or singled out.
Children often want to get involved in activities that adults are participating in, so if your child is refusing to brush their teeth, make them envious by brushing yours first!
7. Double Check for Sensitivity
Most kids don’t brush their teeth because they find it boring. Some children, however, may not want to brush their teeth because there’s an underlying issue.
Take note of what your toddler is saying to you and check the sensitivity of their teeth. If your child has particularly sensitive teeth, practising good oral hygiene can be uncomfortable and unpleasant.
Ask your child if they’re experiencing discomfort and if they are, book a dental appointment to speak to a dentist immediately.
It’s a Work in Progress
Finally, don’t give up and remember that dental hygiene can be a tricky concept to grasp when you’re little.
Continue to mix up the above exercises so your children don’t get bored, and make sure you stick to a regular routine. The older your child gets, the easier the process will become and eventually, you’ll find yourself no longer needing to have a whine first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
The majority of child dentists are professional, educated and well-equipped to offer an abundance of advice on how to improve your child’s dental hygiene. However, don’t be afraid to challenge a dentist if you think they haven’t got to the root of the problem (excuse the pun).
Good luck!
Images :
· Photo 1: MART Productions by Pexels
· Photo 2: Kiera Burton by Pexels
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