If you are a parent who is concerned about your children’s teeth, then encouraging frequent oral health care with brushing and flossing is essential. When your infant has her first baby tooth, you should clean it with a soft cloth while your child sits in your lap. As your children become toddlers, it is time to buy them small and soft toothbrushes that they can hold in their hands. One of the best ways to help your toddler learn about brushing his or her teeth is by having them watch you. Children don’t like hot (strong minty) flavors of toothpaste, so buy toothpaste that is formulated with milder flavors that might taste similar to strawberries or oranges. In addition, have a mirror on the wall of a bathroom that is at a lower level so that your toddler can see how to brush her teeth correctly.
Use a Variety of Different Ways to Make Brushing Fun and Educational
When your child doesn’t enjoy brushing their teeth, you can make the process fun in a variety of ways, including:
- Playing music while they brush their teeth
- Permitting a child to choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste
- Having older siblings teach younger sibling how to brush
- Watching CDs about dental care that are made for children
- Drawing pictures about brushing and flossing
- Have battery-operated toothbrushes available
- Letting your toddler brush a doll’s teeth
- Praising your child’s efforts while they brush their teeth
- Giving your child a sticker for brushing their teeth
- Reward systems such as trips to the zoo, park, or a museum
- Look for kid-friendly smartphone Apps about oral health care
- Find library books about brushing and flossing
- Buy a musical toothbrush
- Set an alarm clock to remind a child about brushing their teeth
- Write a story about brushing teeth and what happens when you don’t
- Help your child brush the family pet’s teeth with a special toothbrush and toothpaste
- Use a timer while brushing to ensure that it is done correctly
- Dance and sing silly songs while brushing
- Supervise while your child also uses an oral irrigator
- Cut egg cartons to paint the sections to make fake teeth for practicing brushing
Bring Your Child to Our Dentist’s Office Every Six Months
You should bring your child to a dentist’s office while he or she is an infant so that they become accustomed to the sounds, sights, and odors in the facility. An early examination can find problems that require intervention with specialized treatments. More importantly, a good dentist will make the process fun by having a play area with a television or computer to watch cartoons about proper dental care. In addition, the dental office may provide coloring books about brushing and flossing along with fun toothbrushes. Call us at Mountain View Dental in Pleasant View, Utah today at 385-324-3557 to learn more about your children’s teeth and proper dental care in our comfortable dental facility.
