Let’s be honest. Brushing your teeth isn’t the most fun thing in the world. This is especially true when you’re a toddler, and the two minutes it takes to brush your teeth can feel like an eternity. Nonetheless, it’s important to impart upon a toddler the importance of taking care of their teeth and make it into a habit that sticks as they get older. If you can build the habit of teeth brushing up in their early years, it means you’ll have to get on them a lot less about it when they go into grade school. Here are some tips you can use to get your toddler to brush their teeth…
Brush Your Teeth Together
Toddlers are at an impressionable age where they want to copy what you do and be like you. Brushing teeth is a perfect time to let them do exactly that. If you set specific times to brush together in the morning and evening, you can make it a game/activity that you do together. This will make them more apt to brush, even if they don’t like the activity on their own. You can even add some fun elements to it, such as listening to music or making a game to brush each tooth.
Always Check Their Work
When they finish brushing, always make sure that you check their mouth for food or spots that they may have missed. This helps establish in their mind WHY they are brushing their teeth, instead of it just being an arbitrary activity. It also creates a reward for the activity when you tell them that they did such a good job!
Let Them Personalize Their Teeth Care
Don’t just grab your toddler a random toothbrush and toothpaste. That’s going to make it feel like more of a chore. Instead, take them to the store and let them pick a toothbrush that they like, and then pick a fun, exciting toothpaste that is a flavor that your child finds more palatable. This helps bring a personal element to their dental care that they feel like they have control over. One thing to note, though, is that you should check the toothpaste to make sure that it is approved by the ADA (American Dental Association).
