Tips for Brushing Baby Teeth
Lay your infant down on a changing table, or place the infant in a car seat or a child's chair. You won't get as much resistance from an infant as you would a toddler, so brushing teeth for each is slightly different. Wet your infant's toothbrush with just water. Use your finger to lift up the baby's lip to reveal the new tooth. Brush the tooth, being sure to get in between the gum and tooth, as well as behind the tooth. Repeat before bed so that you have brushed your infant's teeth twice each day.
Take your toddler in the bathroom. Toddlers can begin to learn about brushing their own teeth, even though they will need you to help them do it correctly for a few years. If your toddler is cooperative, you can let him or her stand on a step stool over the sink. Otherwise, you will need to sit on the toilet and bring your toddler in front of you. Make sure your toddler is facing the same direction as you are. Wrap your legs around your toddler so that he or she cannot escape. Use one hand to hold your toddler's head on your chest. The other hand can be used to wet a toothbrush and insert it past your toddler's lips. Brush the teeth and gums gently. Brush for a total of one minute, and then you can release your child. Brushing should take place twice each day.
If your toddler does not like having his or her teeth brushed, you can try to make it a little more fun by creating a song to sing while the brushing is taking place. Some toddlers will gladly brush teeth if their parents are brushing theirs at the same time.
Warning: Do not let your child's crying deter you from brushing his or her teeth. You are not hurting your child, but rather preventing a painful dental disease from occurring in the future. Your child will learn soon enough that you are not going to back down, and will eventually participate willingly.
References:
Expectant Mother's Guide: Brushing Baby's Teeth
Kid Smiles: Tooth Brushing Tips for Parents
Published by Alicia Bodine
I am a single stay at home mom of 2 girls. My youngest has Angelman Syndrome so I had to learn how to work from home. I enjoy writing and using the programs on my blog http://paidtowrite.blogspot.com. Fee... View profile
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- Use a soft toothbrush designed for infants or toddlers.
- Brush twice each day.
- Brush the area between the tooth and the gums.