As a parent, you have to pick your battles with your child, even when it comes to hygiene. If your kid hates having their hair brushed, you can negotiate a shorter cut that requires less maintenance. If they want to keep wearing their favorite pair of pants long after both knees are ripped, you can chalk it up to their unique style and let it go.
One thing you can’t compromise on? Brushing teeth. And not just because clean, healthy teeth might help you avoid expensive orthodontic care when your kids are older (although that, too!), but also because good oral hygiene is important to overall health. Some experts even think the bacteria that occurs with gum disease may be able to move into the bloodstream, potentially having a negative effect on heart health.
HOW BRUSHING PREVENTS CAVITIES AND INFECTIONS
Early childhood dental caries, or tooth decay, is a common childhood infectious disease that may become chronic. You should begin healthy oral hygiene habits early in your child’s life since your child can develop tooth decay as soon as their first tooth.
When acid-producing bacteria infect your baby’s mouth, your child may develop tooth decay. You can also pass along these bacteria through your saliva to your baby. For example, sharing saliva on cups or spoons, cleaning your baby’s pacifier with your mouth or testing foods before you feed them to your baby can all spread these bacteria.
A common way bacteria and acid occur in your child’s mouth is when you put them to bed with:
- Milk
- A formula bottle
- Juice
- Sugar water
- Soda or other soft drinks
- Sugary drinks
This may also happen when you allow your child to drink these types of drinks throughout the day from a bottle or sippy cup instead of water.
WAYS TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN TO BRUSH THEIR TEETH
Here are some basic talking points and strategies you can use whenever you get pushback from your child about taking care of their teeth.
- Brush your teeth alongside your child in the morning and the evening. Little kids like to copy adult behaviors.
- Cater to their preferences. If your child only wants bubble gum-flavored toothpaste, don’t insist on mint. If they want to try an electric toothbrush (oh, the novelty!), that’s fine. Whatever gets them brushing.
- Do a cavity science experiment. Many kids learn best when they have a visual example, so it may help to show your child what happens to their teeth when they eat, and then when they don’t brush.
- Offer lots of choices. Instead of mandating when exactly your child needs to brush their teeth, ask if they want to brush them before or after they get dressed in the morning. This makes them feel in control without letting them off the hook.
- Play pretend. Little kids will love brushing the teeth of their favorite dolls and stuffed animals, so give them a dollar store toothbrush and let them role-play dentists. See if they can explain to their toys why brushing is so important; teaching often reinforces learning.
- Remind your child that we wash our hands several times a day to get rid of germs so we don’t get sick, and when we brush our teeth we’re doing the same thing.
- Take turns. Allow your child to brush their own teeth first, and then tell them it’s your turn. Kids under six don’t have the motor skills to be able to brush effectively, so they need an adult to brush for them. But giving them the chance to do it first helps them learn and practice.
CHOOSING YOUR CHILD’S FIRST TOOTHBRUSH
Choosing the proper toothbrush is an important first step when you’re starting your child on a good dental hygiene routine. The toothbrush should be child-sized and have soft bristles. Its handle should fit in your child’s hand comfortably.
To get your child excited about brushing their teeth, let them pick their own toothbrush. Consider a variety of fun themes for their toothbrush to motivate them to practice brushing. For example, your child may get excited about using a toothbrush with their favorite cartoon or Disney character on it such as:
- Mickey Mouse
- Lightening McQueen
- Elmo
- Superman
- My Little Pony
You get the idea. Match their themed toothbrush with themed toothpaste too in delicious fun flavors to motivate them even more. Nothing beats brushing your teeth with a Lightning McQueen toothbrush and berry-flavored toothpaste.
TALKING TO YOUR DENTIST ABOUT RECOMMENDATIONS
You don’t necessarily have to teach your child to properly brush their teeth all on your own. Go to your child’s dentist and ask them, “How do I teach my kids about dental health?” They’ll be more than happy to give you recommendations for just about all aspects of teeth brushing, including choosing the right toothbrush, teeth brushing tips to motivate your little one, types of toothpaste and even how often you should visit their office.
A word on dental visits: Like yourself, your child should see the dentist every six months to get a checkup and have their teeth cleaned. Start taking your child to the dentist early so they’ll get used to the dentist, the friendly staff and the big chair that comes with odd sounds and lights.