Teaching your kid to brush his teeth properly is one of the few things he needs to learn early about proper hygiene. Since toddlers like your kid do not really understand the importance of this habit, they will most likely resist brushing their teeth. To encourage kids to brush their teeth, pediatric dentists in Greenville, SC advice that it is necessary to make his early experiences as fun and enjoyable as possible.
You can start by incorporating brushing as a part of his daily routine. Make it a constant part of his daily activities so he’ll expect it during certain times of the day. If your kid is still uncomfortable with a toothbrush, you can use your fingers to brush his teeth. You can also skip toothpaste if he doesn’t like the taste, or buy a couple so he would have choices. Getting a toothpaste that has the ideal kiddie flavor might work as well.
To make your child more comfortable with the idea of brushing, you can incorporate play when cleaning his teeth. For example, you can ask him to mimic you brushing your teeth or you can let him brush his toy’s “teeth”. You can also use sounds or songs to teach him the proper ways to brush.
Keep brushing time short during the first few weeks and let him get comfortable with the habit. You can extend the time when he gets older. While brushing, it is also important that you explain to him the importance of the activity. A pediatric dentist in Greenville, SC even shows kids what cavities look like and illustrates what happens when teeth are damaged by cavities. You can also find books and videos showing other kids brushing their teeth and let him copy their actions.
It is likewise important that you let your kid choose what toothbrush he likes or which toothpaste to use. Knowing that he is in control will make him more at ease with brushing his teeth. If he still resists, don’t force him to do anything and just do it again the next day. This way, he’ll see that brushing is still on his schedule and he just might finally relent, and eventually get used to it.
Once your toddler becomes comfortable with brushing, it is highly recommended that you visit a pediatric dental practice in South Carolina like Downtown Dental so you can receive professional advice on how to care for your child’s teeth.
(Source: Ask Dr. Sears: Toothbrushing Resistance, Parenting)
