How to get kids to brush their teeth ?

How to get kids to brush their teeth is an everyday dilemma of many parents. We all know it is important for kids to brush the teeth from early age to avoid all those trips to the dentist.  Yes, we still have to go for examination / check up appointments and dental hygiene appointments at least from time to time but are we not all hate hearing dentist saying ” you need a filling “??

So if we as adults are so afraid of those words we should do whatever it takes to save our kids from hearing it, shouldn’t we?

Hmm… if you have kids you know by now its easier said then done!

Try to get 2 or 4 year old to get to brush their teeth or even better try get teenager to brush their teeth !

Now, its not obviously all kids not liking brushing but what to do with those who refuse to do it?

Another issue I see as a dentist during kids examination – plaque frequently sitting along the gum on back teeth or cavity in baby teeth.            I tend to ask parents if they brush their kids teeth? What do I hear then?

1. He/ she won’t let me do it, she screams

2.  very proud parent of 3 – 4 years old saying ” he is a big boy and he is brushing his teeth himself, aren’t you honey ”

This second group tends to be very surprised  when they are told brushing is not really happening.  ” But he / she is brushing twice a day” !

I hear then.

Yes, possibly he / she is but did you check IF:

– they brushed long enough

– are the teeth really cleaned or they just run toothbrush for the few seconds along the teeth

So what is the most common mistake we make as parents?

It is trusting our little darlings that they have the skills do do it. Yes, some of them may actually like brushing for multiple reasons like having fancy toothbrush, family routine, liking taste of toothpaste (not many kids in that group based on my experience), nursery/school education.

But is it enough? I would say not! There is a big difference between wanting to do it and doing the teeth brushing properly.

So what is my advice on kids tooth brushing ????

***As long as kid is not able to do their own shoe laces she/he does not have enough manual skills to brush their teeth unsupervised ***

Don’t try to find excuses! If it takes a bit of tough love sometimes to get their teeth clean then that is what it takes . It’s better to care then to be sorry. End of the day you are a parent, you are the one who is supposed to be a responsible one and don’t get upset when they need a filling.

Do what it takes to save your children from cavities and rotten teeth.

It take only a toothbrush and a bit of toothpaste!

For those who struggle to get little ones to brush in a first place here is some tips:

•  Get  a colorful toothpaste with their favorite character on the tube
•  Make it fun : create a game around that like who can clean best teeth will get ….
• Ask them to brush when they are siting in a bath tub : water is fun !
• Get them to climb on a toilet or step so they can see what they do in a mirror
•  Try evening family ” lets all get brush our teeth at the same time trick”
• Do a little competition who ca brush better : make daddy loose :o)
•  Get a fancy toothbrush, does not have to be an expensive one just possibly with sticker on it of what kid likes at that stage. there is plenty t chose from staring from Disney characters to one direction
• Buy a toothbrush which plays music
•  Get a free teeth brushing app on your phone or tablet. There is plenty choices here designed for different age groups. You may even find something cool for you 🙂