How to teach a child to brush their teeth

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Childhood is the best time to develop good habits. Teaching a child is much easier than teaching an adult, and the likelihood that the habit will stay with him for life is much higher. Be consistent, friendly, and success won't be long in coming.

When I was about five years old, every morning in our family began with arguments and whining. I whined that I didn't want to brush my teeth, and my parents argued whether it was possible to replace the morning brushing by eating an apple. I mentally continued this argument until I was 16, until I met a wonderful dentist, who finally snapped: "You can't!" - and at the same time taught me to treat my teeth with respect. This is why I want to start my advice with self-love.

Instill in your child a love for your teeth

Doing something because it is necessary is sometimes very difficult. Developing a mechanical habit in a child is a dubious pleasure. But you will never lose if you convince your child that his healthy smile is the best decoration. Ask to show your teeth and declare with a smile: “Beautiful! Wonderful white teeth! So well-groomed, clean and shiny! " Perhaps, in principle, it is difficult for you to say compliments - fight with yourself, learn. Find warm words, even if your teeth are far from ideal. 5-10 words of encouragement will cost you much less than a dentist. Allow yourself to frown sometimes: “Why do you have such yellow teeth? Didn't you clean it?"

Personal example

Trying to teach a child to do something that you do not do yourself is completely useless. Brush your teeth twice a day and invite your child with you - kids love to imitate adults. At the same time, stop saying phrases like these: “He has my teeth, bad ones. By the age of 50, it’s all the same to change everything. And to hell with them, then I'll put the implants. There are only problems with these teeth, you have to pull them out and not suffer. Even good teeth can be ruined by mediocre care, and even carelessly treating problem teeth is a crime against oneself.

Do not scold the child

If he refuses to brush his teeth or brushes them incorrectly, brush his teeth yourself or give him a drink of water before bed and try again the next day. If brushing becomes strongly associated with your irritation, your child will avoid it even more persistently.

Take your time

If your baby does not make attempts to take care of teeth on his own until three or four years old, brush them yourself and be glad that you do not need to worry about not controlling the process. Also, do not try to clean the first two or four teeth with a brush and paste: it is quite possible to remove plaque with a clean damp cloth or a special silicone fingertip with soft bristles.

Give your child more freedom

Let yourself choose your own toothbrush. You can buy several brushes and ask which one he will brush his teeth today. The ability to choose between two evils is great for dealing with stubborn 3-year-olds in a variety of situations. Allow yourself to squeeze the paste onto the brush, even if you end up with too much or too little paste. Make a gentle remark: "We need a pea-sized paste, tomorrow we will squeeze out a little less (more), right?"

Turn on your fantasy

Introduce toys to hygiene procedures. Let your favorite doll's teeth "ache" and you will save her by daily cleaning. Connect your child to the game: let him help and show you how to work with a brush correctly. Watch cartoons about oral hygiene, draw some themed drawings, put gifts from the tooth fairy under the pillow if your child has been brushing his teeth all week.

Be consistent

You need to brush your teeth regularly. Perhaps the only case when it is inappropriate to remind a child of this need is if he is sick and fell asleep earlier than usual. Your and his fatigue, bad mood, urgent work - all this is not a reason to ignore basic hygiene procedures.

And a life hack for absolutely any conflict with a child: parents must adhere to a single point of view on the problem. There should be no division into "brushes and apples", refrain from public disputes. If adults have not agreed with each other, what can we expect from a child?