Anchor Family Dentistry

HOW TO GET TODDLERS TO BRUSH THEIR TEETH

   

Your toddler will be more likely to brush his/her teeth if you make the entire experience fun. I recommend  buying colorful power toothbrushes that will do a lot of the cleanup work and mesmerize them with the noise it makes at the same time.

 Regular toothbrushes can also be used if you prefer. It would help if your toddler is involved in the process of selecting their toothbrush. You could take them to the drugstore and let them choose their own toothbrush. Some feature cartoon characters on them that children love.

It is important to remember that children under 2 should not use fluoridated toothpaste. In addition, only a pea sized amount should be used when brushing their teeth.

With younger toddlers, it works best to start brushing their teeth right away, even if they only have a few of them. This way dental hygiene becomes a part of their daily routine.  Let your child watch you as you brush your own teeth, make it a fun family activity.Toddlers will usually respond with enthusiasm when you make it an entertaining experience

SOME HELPFUL TIPS  

DR WILLIAM SEARS, PARENTING MAGAZINE

Play copycat.  Bring your child into the bathroom with you to watch you brush your teeth.Toddlers like to mimic adults. Place the toothbrush where it it can be reached. While you're brushing, exaggerate a show of excitement. He'll likely be encouraged to copy what you're doing.

Make the toothbrush a toy. Let him play with it. For example, show him how to brush his teddy bear's "teeth," or even let him brush yours. Create the impression that toothbrushes are fun to use

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Play show and tell. While you are showing your child how to "play" with the toothbrush, tell him why tooth brushing is important. Say: "Sticky stuff collects on your teeth. The sugar bugs like the sticky stuff, and if they stay there long enough, they'll eat into your teeth, and then your teeth won't be strong and white." If you have a cavity that's filled, show it to him to reinforce this point.

Use your finger as a toothbrush. If he still doesn't seem enthralled by his toothbrush, wrap a piece of gauze around your finger (you can actually purchase slip-on gauze pieces for this purpose) and use your finger to clean his teeth. Some toddlers find this less frightening than a long, plastic toothbrush. If you use toothpaste, choose one that has a flavor he likes. A word of caution: If you choose a toothpaste with fluoride, as most dentists recommend, use only a pea-size dab no more than once a day. Many children this age will swallow toothpaste. As a preventative medicine, the mineral fluoride has a narrow risk/benefit ratio: Just the right amount of fluoride (via brushing) can help protect against tooth decay, but too much (via digestion) can contribute to weakened enamel

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When nothing else will work: Try the two-person technique we resorted to in our family to successfully brush the teeth of our resistant toddler. Have your child lie on your lap with his head facing you, while your partner sits in front of you knee-to-knee, supporting your child's body in his lap. Have your partner lean forward and hold your child's arms and legs while you gently brush his teeth from above (a position that will give you easier access and a better view).

Your child will eventually catch on that brushing his teeth is a regular and necessary part of taking care of his whole body - and he'll enjoy doing it.