To be honest, some adults could also do with getting used to brushing their teeth.
Every now and then there are specimens who use a toothbrush maybe once a month – and even that is a big achievement for them.
So that this doesn’t happen in adulthood, let’s start with children, because little ones get used to things faster, and the habit will most likely stay with them for life.
There’s no exact date for when to start brushing teeth as such, because a child’s mouth cleans itself much better than an adult’s.
Put simply, saliva keeps flowing, so the teeth get rinsed by themselves, and a brush may not even be needed. But it’s still better not to put this off and to start cleaning the teeth from the very first tooth, at around 6 months. At this age there can be no talk of thorough cleaning – just buy a special finger brush and use it to clean your little one’s teeth. Time passes, and one day the moment comes to use a toothbrush. It’s great when the child is obedient and does it willingly, but what if not? Let’s look at ways to convince a little person that brushing teeth is cool. So that this doesn’t happen in adulthood, let’s start with children, because little ones get used to things faster, and the habit will most likely stay with them for life.
- Children love to copy adults, so your example matters.If a child sees their parents brushing their teeth every day, sooner or later they will definitely want to do it too – that’s just how they are.
- Don’t force them.Trying to force a child is the best way to kill any desire to do anything.
- Don’t scold them.If they’re trying, however badly it’s going, don’t scold them. Brushing shouldn’t be associated with parents’ displeasure, otherwise it will lead to complete rejection. If you’re right-handed, try brushing your teeth with your left hand and you’ll see what your child has to go through. At this age, making the right movements is quite hard.
- Let your child choose their own toothbrush.In your opinion, the “something” drawn on the brush is ugly and nobody knows what it looks like. For a child, a whole world may be hidden in that picture. (Of course, the toothbrush should be suitable for their age and safe.)
- Try to have more than one toothbrush.Choosing a new brush every morning can become a fun game.
- Use toys.Your child doesn’t want to brush their teeth? Start small: let them watch their favorite toys brushing each other’s teeth – first with your hands, then with theirs. At the next stage, the toys brush the little one’s teeth and the little one brushes theirs. Gradually we move on to real brushing in front of an audience of toys.
- Put on their favorite music.Choose a song or tune your child loves that lasts about 3 minutes.
- Make up and watch fairy tales about teeth.A fairy tale about a kind toothbrush and evil germs will sooner or later do its job.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGcUSsbPsQQ
Most important of all – brushing should feel like a game, not a chore.
Finally, don’t forget to check the result and, if necessary, finish the brushing yourself.
Lastly, a few words about toothpaste. Don’t chase expensive ones – how you brush matters much more than what with. The only thing is that a child’s toothpaste should be a children’s toothpaste, preferably without fluoride at first. Why? Because fluoride is only beneficial in the mouth, and when swallowed it shows its toxic properties. Don’t worry – swallowing toothpaste once or twice won’t harm your little one, but it shouldn’t become systematic. So until your child learns to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow it (and at first all children swallow it), it’s best to use a fluoride-free toothpaste.
It should also be noted that in places where the fluoride content of drinking water is above the permitted level, fluoride toothpastes are strictly prohibited.Excess fluoride damages teeth and gives them a brownish tint.
At first glance, all of the above is very easy to do, but when a child resists, parents (especially young parents) get confused. So patience, and more patience – and everything will definitely work out.
