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As a parent, trying to teach your children about the importance of hygiene and cleanliness is a high priority on your list. You’ve probably given your toddler a tutorial on how to bathe properly, how to wash their hands and how to brush. But when it comes to getting them to execute these actions, you may be met with more resistance than you would have expected. This isn’t because your child likes having stinky breath in the morning. Chances are that your kids are just too busy running around and don’t find brushing to be a particularly interesting activity. And like all things that don’t grasp their interest, they try to dodge it. So your best bet to save your little one from cavities and early gum problems is to get them to enjoy the activity of brushing their teeth. If you were wondering how this was possible and what to do to maximize the experience, here are a few tips and tricks for you.
1. Involve Older Siblings
The younger ones often want to mimic everything the older sibling does, so letting them brush together may be a great idea to get your little one interested in oral hygiene. You can even make up a silly little tune or a song that they all sing together while starting to brush their teeth. The more they see their older siblings enjoying the process of brushing their teeth, the more enthusiastic they will be. Besides, this means that your kids can do their bedtime routine together and you get to kill two birds with one stone. You can also make sure that you give your toddler age appropriate toothpaste so that it is mild and does not cause them any discomfort. The point is that your toddler will follow everything their older siblings do, so use that to your advantage where you can.
2. Start Early
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This may seem like a no brainer but it makes all the difference. The key is to make sure oral hygiene practices are started early and have already become a routine in your child’s daily activities. This will make things significantly easier when they get older and start taking more responsibilities to look after themselves. In the early days what really helps the child is to see the entire family doing the same activity as them. You can all brush your teeth together. You can even make it a game by setting a timer to 2 minutes and see who can brush their teeth without pausing in between. This way your child will stay engaged in the activity and view it as a bonding experience with their family. Keep in mind that kids love being competitive and apply it to situations like these.
3. Combine Brushing With Something They Enjoy
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You can always include something that your child enjoys if they really can’t stand brushing. For example, if your child is a huge fan of Elmo or Peppa Pig, get them a character toothbrush to encourage them to use it. There are many fun toothbrushes featuring your kids’ favorite characters to get them excited about brushing. If they like dancing and singing, this is the time to play their favorite tunes and groove about while they brush their teeth. Try not to move too far away from the sink though. But get in on the fun and make these moments fun and enjoyable for the both of you.
4. Allow Them Some Control
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Autonomy does wonders for your toddler. They want to be independent and self-sufficient so why not give them some ownership of the brushing process? Teach them to squirt their own toothpaste and brush themselves. Then it’s your turn to brush! It takes extra time, but it can be a fun bonding experience. If they need a little push to comply you can also pretend play. Get their favorite teddy involved and teach them how to brush teddy’s teeth. Tell your little one that Teddy’s teeth will start to ache if they don’t brush it properly. Now you, your child and teddy canal take turns brushing teeth.
5. Don’t Forget To Cheer For Them
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Brushing teeth can be a weird sensation for your tiny tots, especially because their teeth are just coming in and are sensitive. So be gentle and use a soft hand, and encourage them as they learn to brush their own teeth with confidence. It may take a while but they will eventually get the hang of it and won’t need your help anymore. So cherish these precious moments together and stay positive!
Oral hygiene is important in order to be safe and healthy so don’t pass up on using these little tips and tricks to keep your kids engaged during brushing time. This way they’ll never skip on this crucial step and will always have pearly whites. Happy parenting!
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