We all struggle to get our young children to clean their teeth, it’s just not fun right?
But, the constant struggle and fight of getting them to clean their teeth can have an impact of our mental health (surely it’s not just me that’s been left in tears by the dreaded teeth clean?) as well as making your child fearful of cleaning their teeth and in turn, fearful of their dentist.
Dental phobias are real and they start young so we need to tread very carefully when it comes to getting our children to follow a healthy dental routine.
Here are my top tips on how to get your children to clean their teeth, calmly, without stuggle and without scarring you all in the process!
1. Clean your teeth with your child. This is the main top tip. Show them how you clean your teeth, what you do and that you do it regularly. You’ll find that they will watch you intently, really trying to mimic what you’re doing. It won’t be perfect, but it’s start.
2. Make sure they brush their teeth, in some way, at least twice a day.
3. Use a timer, set it at two minutes and make sure they brush for that time. It gives them a goal and kids love goals right?
4. Perhaps play a catchy tune and make it fun while you’re doing it too, children are so much more receptive when things are fun! aren’t we all really?
5. If they ask to brush their teeth in the middle of the day, just let them, every little helps.
6. Educate them on why they need to clean their teeth. Oral health is so important, with 12% of 3 years affected by tooth decay and requiring hospital admissions it’s so so important to allow our little ones to know that tooth decay is avoidable by gentle, routine teeth cleaning.
7. You should be going to the dentist at least once a year for check ups and your little ones should be going every 6 months (it’s free in the UK for under 16s). If they are very young and don’t have teeth yet, take them with you to your dental appointments. They will then get a feel for the place and see that you are relaxed, if you’re relaxed, they’ll be relaxed.
8. DO NOT talk about horrible painful dental procedures with your children. This will make them think the dentist is a bad place.
9. Children bite and abuse their toothbrushes quite a bit so don’t be alarmed if you need to replace their toothbrushes more often than your adult one. Dentists recommend replacing toothbrushes at least every 3 months dependent on use.
10. Teach your children about good oral health and sustainability by purchasing one of our children’t toothbrushes. Not only will our bamboo infused bristles lift plaque, the number one cause of tooth decay, they’ll also do so whilst being kind to the earth and lowering your carbon footprint. Now that is something to shout about 🙂
Above all, keep calm, it’s easier said than done and every time won’t be perfect but by keeping calm and allowing your child to follow your lead, teeth cleaning time will be so much breezier than chasing them about the house to clean their teeth.
Schools runs will be so much easier too!
Jayne x
This Post Has 2 Comments
Hello. I have an 8 yr old Granddaughter who for whatever reason has decided she isn’t going to clean her teeth. Her Mum has read, listened tried all the advice of professionals and Lilly TOTALLY REFUSES to clean them. She had lovely teeth. Now she has her baby teeth falling out. Her mouth is disgusting and smells. We are at our wits end to know what to do. She is a pretty girl – this is just ruining her. We’re lost…now ….please can you help us.
Lizzie Cotter Grandma.
Hi Lizzie, have you been to a doctor? you’ve said you’ve tried the advice of professionals, does this include a doctor? She may not like the feeling of the toothbrush or perhaps the toothpaste. Try and find a taste that she likes, there are so many different ones on the market. I use green peoples orange toothpaste for my children as they can’t stand peppermint. Your grand daughter may also have sensory issues or additional needs as refusing to clean teeth isn’t unusual if so. That’s why a doctor would be great to speak to. When you or your daughter clean your teeth, try and get Lilly involved so she can see that’s a normal thing to do. Talk about why and the health issues related to looking after your teeth too. Finding a way with her is best instead of making her. Maybe show her our website and talk through some of the blogs on here and posts on our social media? maybe speak to her about how our toothbrushes help the environment as well as dental health. Environmental issues are spoken about at school in such detail so she could relate to this and become interested in this in some way. I know this is all easier said than done and as you’ve said, you’re at your wits end so this must be very stressful for your family. I wish you luck, but remember, keep calm and keep trying to engage her on it. Jayne x