Tips for Brushing When you are a parent, there are times that raising children can be a challenge. Depending on the child, teaching him or her how to take care of their bodies can be difficult. Some toddlers outright refuse to brush their teeth. If they want to brush them, they don't always brush them effectively. So how do you teach your children to care for their teeth and gums properly? Jacobsen Pediatric Dentistry has some suggestions for you so you can help your child learn good oral hygiene and keep your sanity.The ToothbrushYou will need to choose a toothbrush for your child that has soft bristles. Be sure that the toothbrush is designed for taking care of a baby or young child's teeth. If your toddler is resistant to tooth brushing, offer to let them pick out their toothbrush. There are so many wonderful toothbrushes for toddlers, so whether your toddler wants to brush with a princess or a monster, you will have them covered. Some toddler parents buy more than one toothbrush at a time. That way, if your child changes his or her mind, you have a different toothbrush to offer them. Once the toothbrush is picked out, help them with holding the brush. If the child's grip isn't very good, you may want to use something to make it easier to grip. Some parents try putting the toothbrush handle in a tennis ball for an easier grip. Others use a hairband to help the child hold the toothbrush. You can also look for a kid-friendly toothbrush with a thick handle for easy gripping. It's All About the ToothpasteLet's be honest. You are not going to get your child to brush if the toothpaste doesn't taste right to them. A toddler will flat-out refuse to brush if he or she doesn't like the toothpaste. Luckily, there are several different kinds of toothpaste available for children. There are bubblegum and fruit flavors, as well as the basic mint. Whatever flavor your child likes will make it that much easier to get him or her to brush. Be sure that the flavor they like has fluoride in it. Fluoride helps give them strong, healthy teeth. Brushing PracticeGive your child lots of opportunities to practice brushing their teeth. You will first want to let them watch you brush. Tell them over and over what you are doing. You can then let them try brushing - use your hand to guide their brushing. Break each brushing step down into easy to understand directions. Praise them when they can brush their teeth! Children love to feel independent, and they love to feel that they are doing a good job. If you are worried about your child's teeth and how to make sure they are brushing properly, why not give us a call? Jacobsen Pediatric Dentistry would love to help you teach your child good oral hygiene. That's because if they learn good oral hygiene early, their good habits will result in great teeth for a lifetime! Give us a call at (971) 459-2431. |
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