... But My Child Does Not Like To Brush

     Atleast once a week I have a parent tell me that their child "will not let me brush their teeth."  At the end of a busy work day, the last thing parents may want to do is fight with their child to get them to brush their teeth. Although it’s frustrating now, instilling your child with good oral health care habits can help prevent a lifetime of dental problems. Every child is different and it make some trial and error before you finally get your child to get excited about or atleast tolerate brushing. Here is a list of ideas that other parents have given us over the years and we hope that it will help your family.

• Tell them a story:  Children have wild imaginations. A story of the monstrous “sugar bugs” that will take over their teeth may just give them the much needed motivation to brush those bad bugs out.  You can even say “Wait, open a little bigger, I think I see the bug right there.” Also words like stinky, gross, yucky, and icky can sometimes provide that extra incentive to keep their mouth clean. 
• Monkey-see, Monkey do:  Often brushing at the same time as your child or having a child brush with an older sibling make model what behavior is expected.
• Make it a routine: Try to make brushing the same time everyday such as right after the PJs come on or after a bath.
• Sing Songs: Create a silly family song or rhyme about brushing your teeth such as "Brush your teeth everyday to keep the cavity bugs away." 
• Change Location:  If your child enjoys taking a bath, and will allow you wash those hard to reach areas without incident, you may try brushing in the tub as well. You can occupy them with toys or incorporate their bath toys into brushing. 
• Savor the Flavor: Let your child pick out their favorite flavor toothpaste. Remember if your child cannot spit that only a smear of fluoride toothpaste can be used.  Utilize training toothpaste for children under 2.
• Show and tell: Use a disclosing solution such as Listerine Agent Cool Blue. This will stain the plaque and show your child the areas that the sugar bugs are hiding.
• Give them praise: Always remember to tell your child that they did a good job.  Many children want to feel independent and will not want you to brush behind them to get the spots they miss. Telling them that they have done a good job, with instructions on how to do better next time may cause them to be less defensive.
• Let them brush your teeth: For independent children who want to do it all on their own may be more inclined to help you assist them if they assist you.

     We generally do not recommend that children brush their teeth alone until the age of 7, until their have fully grasped to concept of cleansing all surfaces. Flossing should also be integrated once the back teeth are touching each other. Please visit our office for further tips and tricks and an evaluation of how your home brushing routine is working so far.