Tips for Getting Children to Brush Their Teeth

It is easy for parents to overlook the importance of regular tooth brushing and proper dental practices in toddlers and small children. Many parents believe that, because baby teeth will be falling out eventually anyway, tooth brushing is not as important for small children as it is for adults. This is not true, as the mouth needs to be healthy in order to create the proper environment for permanent teeth to form, and teaching your child good dental practices now can help prevent problems with their dental hygiene later in life.

Getting toddlers and small children to brush their teeth without a massive battle can be a real challenge. I had a very difficult time getting my children to brush when they were younger, but discovered some tricks that made the job more fun and easier to deal with. Some of the tricks that work for one of your children might not work for another, and I found that using a combination of the below tips and techniques better motivated my own children to brush than sticking with one idea alone. A few suggestions for getting your toddler or small child to brush their teeth without a fight are included below.

1) Let your child pick out his own toothbrush and toothpaste. You can even encourage him to choose more than one at the store, and then let him have the choice of deciding which to use each time he brushes his teeth. This will give your child a sense of control over the situation and make him feel more involved in the process.

2) Buy your child some books about the importance of tooth brushing, and make a daily routine of reading those books before heading to the bathroom sink each day.

3) Make a game of good dental practices. Have the children in your house race to see who can brush their teeth the fastest, or see who can last the longest before they run out of toothpaste. One game I played with my children was having them compete against each other to see who could make the least amount of toothpaste mess.

4) Make a CD of your child's favorite music, and then let them brush along to the beat. Tell your child he cannot stop brushing until the song finishes, and alternate songs each time your child goes to brush to keep things interesting.

5) Have your child pick out a timer from the store and use that to assist your child in knowing how long to brush. When the timer goes off, it is time to rinse.

6) Start a reward system for proper brushing. Make a chart and have your child place a star under his name each time he brushes his teeth without a battle. Or give your child a sticker or another very small treat when brushing is completed.

7) Create a dental grooming kit for your child similar to daddy's shaving kit. Include toothpaste and brushes, floss, mouthwash, and anything else your child wants or needs in the kit. Let your child keep his kit next to daddy's in the bathroom.

8) Set a good example by taking good care of your own teeth, and by teaching the importance of good dental hygiene to your children. Children like to mimic adults and feel grown up. If they see you brushing your teeth regularly, they will be more inclined to do the same.

You can use more than one of the above ideas at a time with your child. It is just a matter of finding out what works best for your particular child. Using different tricks as your child ages is often a good idea as well.