How do I get my toddler to brush their teeth?

Much like trying to coax your kids to eat their vegetables, getting them to brush their teeth properly (or at all) can be challenging. But it's important to remember that forming good oral hygiene habits early in life is critical. Here are some tips from our Calgary dentists.

On some days your child may enjoy the brushing experience, but often, they may put up a fight. It is, however, incredibly important that your child has their teeth brushed at least twice a day.

One important thing to note is that until they reach eight years of age, your child simply won't have the necessary dexterity to do a good enough job brushing their teeth on their own.

So, regardless of whether your child is looking forward to it or not, the job needs to get done. You would never allow your child to sit in a soiled diaper just because they don't want their diaper changed, so you shouldn't allow food or plaque to sit on your kid’s teeth just because they don't want them to be brushed.

There are times when it can be a fight, so try to make it fun. Like most things, routine is key.

Here are some tricks to get your kids excited about brushing:

• Let your toddler or child hold your toothbrush and brush your teeth while you hold their brush to brush their teeth. Usually, this is a fun way that they enjoy brushing. 
• Ask your child to look in the mirror with their mouth open and pretend to see "sugar bugs", then proceed to brush. 
• Purchase toothbrushes specifically designed to entertain children. Some connect via Bluetooth and kids can follow along on your phone while they brush.
• Offer small rewards for challenging toddlers after brushing – like stickers, reading a favorite book afterward, or holding a special toy.
• Using a (separate) toothbrush, brush the teeth of each of your child’s favorite toys after you brush your own. Talk about how important it is that their toy takes care of their teeth. Most toddlers, upon seeing how much their toy loves having their teeth brushed, will want theirs done also.
• How you ask can allow them to feel some independence. You might ask “Which toothbrush would you like to use?” instead of “Are you ready to brush your teeth?” or “Do you want to brush your teeth?” They'll feel involved in the decision and be more likely to cooperate.

If your toddler isn’t impressed with any of these methods, try using a piece of gauze to rub on his teeth. There are some pre-formed gauze pieces just for this purpose. If your dentist recommends using fluoride toothpaste once a day, just a dab is all that is necessary.

If you would like to learn more tips about brushing your toddler's teeth, contact our Calgary dentists today.