Children are different, and when it comes time to learn to brush your teeth, some willingly learn a new skill and even grab onto a toothbrush themselves, starting to imitate their elders. However, there are those who like to play pranks. For them, daily brushing turns into real hard labor. Parents take different approaches - persuade, insist, demand, try to bribe the baby with the promise of sweets or a trip to the park in order to accustom him to hygiene, but nothing helps. The child continues to categorically refuse to use a toothbrush and toothpaste, experiencing the patience of adults. What to do in this case?
It is widely believed that milk teeth will fall out anyway, which means there is nothing wrong with skipping brushing. However, dentists insist on the contrary. Already when the first little tooth erupts in the crumbs, you need to start looking after italso paying attention to gums. To do this, there is a soft silicone fingertip brush that an adult puts on his finger. So you can brush your tooth gently, feeling all the movements. When the child turns two years old, it is time to accustom him to independent hygiene. If he starts to protest, you just need to add an element of the game. This simple technique will turn brushing your teeth into an interesting lesson, from which the baby will begin to enjoy.
We also read: When to start brushing teeth for children?
Toothbrush
Without this item, brushing your teeth is simply impossible. For a child, you need to choose a colored brush with a funny nozzle or with the image of a character of some cartoon. Now you can even find luminous or sound models, as well as equipped with a timer. These are not just brushes, but toys - what a baby needs.
However, the choice should not be guided only by design. Strict requirements are imposed on a children's brush:
- the handle should be wide enough so that the baby can squeeze it into his cam;
- the optimal head size corresponds to two baby teeth;
- bristles are soft and synthetic (natural dries longer, and harmful bacteria quickly multiply in high humidity).
Before buying, parents should go to an appointment with a pediatric dentist. He will explain in more detail what kind of hygiene items the baby needs, select the optimal size of the villi so that they brush their teeth, but do not injure immature gums.
It is better to buy a child two or three toothbrushes of different shapes and colors at once. The baby will alternate them, inventing new games, so they will not have time to bother him. Be sure to take your baby with you to the store. Let him show you which brushes he likes best. So you will not lose the choice, and the child will feel adult and responsible.Then he will definitely have to use the purchase.
Toothpaste
This is no less important element of oral hygiene than a brush. The baby should also like the pasta, all the more so now you can choose any according to design, properties, flavoring. Just before buying, do not forget to consult a doctor. Let him examine the baby’s teeth. Perhaps he will need healing paste. Some guys are prone to allergies, they are contraindicated in artificial dyes and perfumes. This fact is also important to consider.
To choose the right toothpaste for a child, first of all pay attention to the expiration date and composition. A good dentifrice should not contain the following components:
- triclosan and chlorhexidine - these substances have powerful antibacterial properties, therefore they remove not only harmful, but also beneficial bacteria from the oral cavity;
- sodium benzoate is an artificial preservative;
- sodium lauryl sulfate - used to create foam, irritates the mucous membranes of the mouth and lips;
- saccharin - this sweetener in large doses becomes unsafe for health.
[sc name = ”rsa”]
When choosing a toothpaste for a baby, it is important to consider its taste and smell. Obviously, the menthol, which is often used by adults, the baby will immediately spit it out. Therefore, children's toothpastes are specially made with fruit and sweet tastes. The problem is that some of them simply eat them, without finishing cleaning. This does not harm the body, since the composition of pastes for kids is harmless. However, to use the paste for its intended purpose, opt for a milky taste. If such a paste is in a colored tube with bright patterns, she will also like crumbs.
Just starting to care for your teeth, kids still do not know how to rinse their mouths. This child also needs to be taught, and at every convenient opportunity - during bathing, washing, washing hands. The baby will need a lot of time to get used to the process and learn not to swallow water, but spit.
Set of a young dentist
If the child demonstrates his character and refuses to repeat after the parents in the bathroom how they brush their teeth, give him the illusion of independence. In the pharmacy or children's store you can pick up a dentist's toy kit. Let the baby practice brushing plastic teeth. He certainly will not refuse to play. Later, suggest that the peanut brush his teeth with his toys, not just plush toys, but made from hard materials. Very soon, the process of brushing your teeth will so captivate the child that he will want to try to take care of himself.
Favorite toy
Why does the child so earnestly refuse to go to the bathroom to brush his teeth? Perhaps for him it's just too boring. Let the baby take his favorite toy with him. She will sit nearby and carefully watch what the child is doing, whether he thoroughly brushes his teeth. If the baby is very attached to the toy and does not part with it even in a dream, this method will work.
Achievement board
Any, even the smallest achievement of a small person, even just an effort, should be encouraged. Only in this way will the child believe in himself and gain an incentive to continue further in the same spirit. Create a home board on which the whole family will solemnly hang an asterisk or stick a sticker every time a child brushes his teeth. Continue until the baby is bored.
Hourglass
If the child is stubborn, use this quality in his character for his own purposes and arrange competitions. Buy your kid a bright hourglass, measuring 2 minutes. Invite him to brush his teeth before all the sand is poured. A boring and uninteresting activity will immediately turn into an interesting pastime.2 minutes is the optimal time: it is enough to brush your teeth well, but not enough to bore this process.
A glass for toothbrushes from the designer
There is one more trick with game elements that can make a child brush his teeth, and also enjoy it. Assemble with it a colored glass for toothbrushes from LEGO constructor parts. Put your crafts in the bathroom - and the baby himself will want to go there more often to look at the subject of his own labor. A toothbrush, being in a bright home-made glass, will also immediately become more attractive. The kid will probably want to take it to brush his teeth.
Tips for parents on how to teach a child to brush their teeth
In principle, everything is correct. A child needs a brush that would be interesting and convenient and a “tasty” toothpaste, always for children !! But I haven’t heard about the recruitment of a young dentist, I’ll see that I’ll definitely buy it. But this is also for older children, I think from 4 years.
My child has been accustomed to brushing my teeth for a very long time. Gum-flavored toothpaste helped. Brushes for children are now almost the same. I did not need an hourglass, since I myself controlled the child and kept track of time.
Brushes for children are now almost the same. I did not need an hourglass, since I myself controlled the child and kept track of time.