9.12.2020

Teach Your Toddler To Brush Their Teeth: Dos and Don'ts

It's never too early to take care of your child's teeth. In fact, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), you can start brushing your child's teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. Other experts even recommend starting oral care before your baby's 20 milk teeth erupt and wiping your baby's gums with a soft cloth after meals. It's about establishing a good oral hygiene routine and getting the child used to brushing teeth and gums right from the start. According to the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), cleaning the baby's gums also cleanses new teeth that are about to enter .

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For children under the age of three, the ADA recommends using little toothpaste that contains fluoride or the size of a small grain of rice. For children aged three to six, parents can put a small amount on the toothbrush.

RELATED: Knowing When to Start Brushing Your Baby's Teeth

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However, experts warn against letting your child swallow the toothpaste. The ADC advises parents to ensure that the child spits out the toothpaste. "Because over-consumption of toothpaste by young children can lead to dental fluorosis," says ADC. Dental fluorosis is a condition characterized by a noticeable change in the appearance of the tooth. An excessive intake of fluoride before the age of eight leads to changes in the tooth enamel. While it doesn't necessarily affect the way teeth function, it can cause unsightly white streaks on your child's teeth.

Do not let a young child swallow the toothpaste.
Image credit: Pexels

The ADC also said the best brush of teeth for young children is a soft brush with rounded bristles and a large entrance. It should be replaced every three to four months and you need to make sure that it is the right size for your child's mouth. Do not force the child to use a toothbrush for older children and worse adults as these can be too big and therefore difficult to control in the mouth. What's worse is that an incorrectly sized toothbrush can damage your child's gums and teeth.

Don't let a child under the age of three brush their teeth on their own. "Brushing teeth should be monitored until the child can reliably rinse and spit out excess toothpaste (usually 6 years old)," says the American Academy of Pediatrics . Toddlers have not fully developed hand coordination, which is necessary for independent tooth brushing. Some experts believe that if your child can write their name, they may be ready to brush their teeth. Before doing this, however, it is important to monitor your child to make sure they are cleaning all areas of their teeth and spitting out the toothpaste.

According to the UK's National Health Service (NHS) , parents should ensure that their children brush their teeth twice a day, in the morning and before bed. And the best way to do this for younger kids is to put them on your lap with the headrest on your chest. For older children, you can stand behind them and tilt your head back.

What the monkey sees, the monkey does

It is also helpful if you can show your child how it works. Let them see you brush your teeth so they can see you brush your teeth. Show them how to carefully and gently clean each area, then spit out the foam toothpaste. To encourage them to follow a routine that you, as a parent, must lead by example. Show them how to make brushing an important part of their daily routine and they will soon learn the importance of brushing their teeth regularly without being reminded to do so.

If you feel that everything small cannot cover all areas of the teeth, take turns offering. You can brush your teeth to make sure you cover hard-to-reach areas and then bring the brush back over to them so they can finish cleaning. This way you can ensure that no part is lost in your child's mouth and that your child will always feel independent during times when you are alone.

Keep it up

Don't try to scare your child by brushing their teeth . Be very patient and understand that the first time you may not be successful. You won't even get it perfectly in the first few years and that's fine. If you feel anxious about brushing your teeth, you will associate the activity with negative emotions and may fear the practice or view it as a chore.

Image credit: Pexels

Instead, make it fun. Let him watch cartoons about taking care of his teeth and then introduce dancing or singing into the routine before he brushes his teeth. Get creative and see how you can get her to brush their teeth. Maybe you can play her favorite songs while she brushes her teeth, or build in a simple game where she can get a reward for properly brushing her teeth.

It may be a lot of work at first, but remember to teach your child good oral hygiene habits. They lay the foundation for how to take care of teeth and gums in the beginning. 'upload. It may take a few years (or until you are six or seven years old) to get it right, but once you've established a proper brushing routine and established the importance of oral health, you are on the right track to healthy teeth. and gums for the rest of their lives.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics , National Health Service (NHS) , Canadian Dental Association (ADC) , American Dental Association (ADA),

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