Keep Your Children Brushing Their Teeth

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Start teaching your children to brush their teeth at a very young age. This way they will learn the importance of good dental hygiene and will continue to keep brushing their teeth as they grow into adulthood.

Steps

  1. Make sure that your child can reach the sink . Have a small footstool available, if necessary.
  2. Give smaller children interesting or fun brushes. How about one with their favorite character on it, like Barbie, Scooby Doo, Bugs Bunny, Hello Kitty, Tommy Pickles or Spongebob Squarepants?
  3. Buy your child or children their own small tube of toothpaste in a tasty flavor, plus their own small dental floss, in a flavor of their choice. Also include that with a character. Their care for their teeth today will reflect tomorrow. Be sure to show them how to brush and floss.
  4. Make it seem worthwhile for them to brush, such as getting to pick an extra story to read before bedtime, or playing their favorite board game. Children respond to rewards, but don't overdo it, since teeth brushing is just something that has to be done, and it would be hard to give rewards every time.
  5. Keep a timer near to ensure that your child is brushing long enough. Children are usually interested in electronics, and a timer may keep them amused.
  6. Remember after brushing, ask them if their teeth feel clean and have them "double check" with their tongue. If not, brush again.

Tips

  • Buy edible toothpaste instead of those with fluoride. Young children under 3 may not know to spit.
  • Make sure that your child or children get enough calcium in their daily diet, such as drinking milk. Add a little chocolate to it, such as cocoa or chocolate syrup if necessary, and keep around their favorite cereal. Calcium promotes good strong teeth and good bones.
  • If you are a working parent who works long hours, it may be hard to make sure that your child or children are brushing their teeth. However, if they learn to enjoy dental care, it shouldn't be a problem, so be a good teacher by showing them the way.
  • A good way to keep them brushing their teeth is getting them mouth wash of their pick.
  • Make sure your child visits the dentist regularly, starting as soon as possible after they get teeth. Call your dentist to see what age they recommend.
  • Compliment your child or children when they are doing a good job on brushing their teeth. Tell them how nice their teeth look and what a good job they're doing.
  • Get them their own toothbrush holder and a cup or small glass to rinse their mouth. Things that would interest a child are items like a cartoon character, or favorite action hero.
  • Bribe your child/children with something. Maybe that extra bit of icebreaker or a little toy they wanted. Children most likely do things for something in return.

Warnings

  • Most dentists recommend avoiding fluoride toothpaste with children until they are old enough to understand they have to spit the toothpaste out (usually sometime after 3 years of age). Swallowing too much fluoride can be hazardous to children's health. Check the label on the toothpaste. It will say clearly if it does or does not contain fluoride.
  • Don't get an adult toothpaste for small children as it might burn their mouths.

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