Once your toddler completes two years, he/she may be prepared to start brushing on their own. The change is not always easy, but with the below-mentioned tips, your toddler will be brushing on their own very soon!
Demonstrate to them how it is done
Before handing over total responsibility, motivate your child to watch in the mirror as you brush their teeth. Explain briefly what you are doing to keep their attention.
Offer assistance in brushing
If you are not sure whether their teeth are getting clean completely, offer assistance in brushing. Possibly you brush for them in the morning and they brush on their own at night. Offer your child the ability to be independent while still getting a reminder every night of what brushing should be like.
- Remember the proverb practice makes perfect!
It can be useful for your child to rehearse brushing your teeth initially. You can also grasp their hand and brush together the first couple of times.
- Lead by example.
Make brushing together a part of your morning and night habits. If they observe you brushing, they will possibly want to demonstrate that they too are adults and can brush their teeth.
Make brushing entertaining!
Oral cleanliness must never be treated as a punishment or a chore. Have enjoyment with it by playing tunes for a couple of minutes rather than utilising a timer, make a reward system for when your kid brushes two times a day for a certain amount of time, or bring them shopping for a new toothbrush and toothpaste to make brushing more exceptional.
If you have an unwilling toddler who does not like brushing, getting your toddler to brush teeth can be very irritating. Here are a few steps you can follow to support your kid to brush regularly and to teach them etiquette.
- Allow your toddler to select his toothpaste and brushes. A toothpaste that tastes excellent and bright brush and has his favourite characters on it can motivate him to voluntarily brush his teeth.
- Make the moment fun by adding peppy music or by humming his favourite tunes.
- You can also get eye-catching toothbrushes that play songs or battery-powered toothbrushes.
- You can go a step ahead and permit your child to practice on you. Even better, you can get him a toy and assist him to practice brushing on it.
- Make a game while brushing. You can make brushing interesting by inventing little fantasy games where your child is defeating the bacteria and germs within his mouth.
- Stand in front of the mirror and allow your kid to watch himself brush.
- Award him little rewards for brushing accurately.
Regular practice of these kid-friendly methods can get your kid to make brushing a regular part of his schedule in no time.
General Brushing Tips
- Motivate your child to brush at least twice a day, morning and night, with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Avoid harder bristles as it may be too abrasive for young children.
- Replace the toothbrush of your toddler every three to four months or sooner if it is frayed or worn out. It is also better to swap the toothbrush after the flu or cold to avoid germs related to those diseases.
When a toddler has learned a new skill at an early age, he is likely to carry on this behaviour all through adulthood. Teaching proper brushing techniques is vital for developing good oral hygiene habits.