Does your child hate brushing? Try these 10 simple tricks!
If your brushing time at home involves tears, a wriggling toddler or a child who somehow always seems to find a new excuse to not go to the bathroom, then you are certainly not alone. Many parents go through a period of brushing battles. Fortunately there are some simple tricks that can make life easier for both of you.
Use a Predictable Routine
Children respond best to a predictable brushing routine to avoid brushing becoming a battleground. Brushing at about the same time each morning/evening, and ideally when a parent is also brushing, can help make brushing feel more routine.
Let them choose their brush
Letting your children pick their brush, or a colour or character they like on it can help them to feel more in control of, and less anxious about, brushing. However, ensure that they are using a soft brush that is also the correct size for them.
Brush together
Many young children need to see someone else doing the task to be able to copy them and learn it. Brushing together can help to make brushing less of a chore by turning it into a shared activity for you both.
Counting or singing
Brushing for two minutes can seem like an eternity for a child. Using a sand timer, a phone timer, or even singing a song can help to make this period seem less long.
Use a mirror
Some children find it easier to brush when they can see what they are doing. Having a mirror at their eye level can help to achieve this.
Let young children brush themselves and then check.
For younger kids it may be best to let them brush first and then follow up to check that all their teeth are clean (especially the back ones) and that they are brushing correctly. This can help to build their independence while also ensuring that they get the most benefit from brushing.
The amount and type of toothpaste needed depends on the age of the child.
It is best to ask your dentist for specific advice on what to use and how much to use at each stage as they may give different advice depending on things like the amount of fluoride in the water supply.
Positive Reinforcement
Encouragement, praise, or even a sticker chart can help to make brushing feel less of a chore. Even just telling the children how well they brushed after they have finished can be a good way to reinforce the importance of brushing.
Avoiding shame or punishment
It can be tempting to shame a child into brushing but this can also make them associate brushing with shame and potentially lead to other emotional issues later in life. Patience is often the best tool when it comes to brushing battles, although it can be harder than it seems!
Try different things
Not all tricks work for all children and what works for one child may not work for another (or even for the same child at different ages). It is important to stay positive even when tricks stop working (as they often do) and to try other methods.
Fluoride?
While fluoride plays an important role in keeping teeth strong and healthy, the amount of fluoride needed, and therefore the amount in your toothpaste, depends on the age of the child and other possible sources of fluoride (like the water supply). This is something that you should discuss with your dentist as they can recommend the best amount for your child’s needs.
However, Supervision is important too
Even children who are brushing on their own usually need a parent to check their brushing or to brush with them until they are old enough to clean all of their teeth properly. This can be harder than you might expect!
Check for Pain or Sensitivity
If a child seems to be resisting because they have pain or sensitivity in a particular spot or area this is different and should be checked out by a professional (at your dentist’s surgery) rather than pushing them to brush.
When to ask for advice?
If you feel that you have tried everything and that your child will never learn to brush, or if you are worried about discoloration, rot, or your child avoiding certain foods, then it is best to bring this up at the child’s next check-up. The sooner it is dealt with, the better.
A gentle reminder
Every child is different and some just take longer to become familiar and comfortable with brushing than others. If you would like more advice, or if you have noticed something unusual in your child’s mouth, the team at Mumtaj Dental Care offer Paediatric Dental Care to make sure that your child feels as comfortable and relaxed as possible at their appointments and that you are reassured too.
