Tricks & Tips for the Toddler!

First, a few facts from SaveYourSmile!

• "One in three children are not brushing their teeth before bed. Children should be brushing their teeth at least twice a day, with the optimal times being before bed and after breakfast. Despite the AAPD's recommendations, parents surveyed report that only 67 percent of children brush before bed and a mere 57 percent brush after breakfast.
  
• Parents should be supervising their child's brushing!
• A good rule of thumb is if children can completely dress themselves, including tying their shoes without any help, then they can brush on their own. Children shouldn't be allowed to floss unsupervised until the age of 10, as flossing is a much more difficult task to master than brushing."

Now, some things I found in various places to try when it is a struggle to get that toddler to brush... Hope something works for you!!

* Let them choose their toothbrush and toothpaste at the store. You might even let them pick more than one so that they can choose each night which toothbrush (giving them a sense of control over the situation--a little "controlled" independence goes a long way!)

* Try a tooth brushing chart with a reward system (OTHER THAN A TREAT/CANDY).. Here is a cute one, or here is another one

* Take turns... You brush their teeth, then let them brush yours!

* Even just watching mommy or daddy brush goes far in motivating a little parrot to brush!

* Electric toothbrushes work really well! Especially fun characters--My nephew LOVED his Elmo and now his Firetruck toothbrush, plus, the spinning motion does a better job than any of us could do in a little mouth!

* Pretend you are "tickling their teeth" --generally, asking, "Can I tickle your teeth?" yields a pretty willing subject.. (at least with my nanny girls it did!)

(don't forget to laugh with them! this can be fun!)

* Have a puppet hold the toothbrush. If you have a variety of puppets, let your child pick "who they would like to brush their teeth" (you could even make some sock puppets just to help with teeth :))

* Buy some children's books about brushing and flossing and read them before heading to "do the dirty work."

* Asking an older sibling to "teach" the younger one to brush might do wonders for both the teacher and the teachee :)



* One mom gave this fun suggestion, "I waited until she was in the bath. I told her we needed to brush everyone in the tubs teeth. I would turn the bristles away, brush both duckies then elmo then her teeth. She thought it was hilarious. I made her understand, though, that I wouldn't brush the toys until I got her. This way, I did sections at a time so she wouldn't have a chance to get upset. Front, brush the toys, upper one side, toys, lower one side, toys, etc!"

* Try singing a song to your toddler while brushing their teeth! There is even a "Brush Your Teeth" song you could turn on while brushing... I've seen babies open up when they hear this song!

* Hold something for ransom! (ie If your child loves their bedtime story, make sure he or she knows that there will be no story until their teeth are brushed well!

Ultimately, every child will want/like something different. The main goal is to brush their teeth, so even if you have to use a little restraint, they will thank you later when they don't need a "shot" to get a cavity filled!

Time Spent So Far: 9.5 hours