Toddler Toothbrushing Tips: Getting Your Little One To Cooperate At Toothbrushing Time
Getting a toddler to cooperate for tooth brushing isn't always easy. Many toddlers are resistant to cleaning procedures and resistant to non-play activities that are imposed upon them by adults. Luckily, there are many things you can do as a parent that will help cultivate your child's interest in the activity. The following tips will help you make tooth brushing a positive experience for both you and your toddler.
Show Your Child Your Tooth Brushing Habits
Many babies and toddlers pay special attention to their parent's activities. Take advantage of this interest by showing your child how you brush your teeth in the mornings and in the evenings. Start doing this even before your child is old enough to have his or her teeth brushed. This way, by the time your child is old enough to have his or her teeth brushed, your child will already have positive associations with the activity.
Let Your Child Play with a Toothbrush
Give your child a toothbrush to play with in his or her toy set. The more that your child plays with a toothbrush, the more positive his or her associations will be with that object.
Give Your Toddler a Turn with the Toothbrush
Toddlers don't have the manual dexterity to brush their own teeth properly. Even so, giving your toddler a turn with the toothbrush after you've cleaned his or her teeth can make the activity more interactive and interesting for your toddler. If your child wants to brush his or her teeth from the start of the activity, allow your toddler to grasp the handle of the tooth brush as you scrub. Explain to your child that you're doing the activity together, and your child is helping you.
Play a Special Song or Video Clip
There are many songs and video clips online dedicated to tooth brushing activities. Playing a song or video during tooth brushing makes the activity special and more interesting, and can encourage your child to cooperate during tooth brushing time. This tactic may be most effective if your child only gets to see the video or listen to the song during tooth brushing time, so take care to limit his or her exposure to the song or video.
Talk to Your Child's Dentist
Your child's pediatric dentist can give you advice for encouraging your toddler to cooperate at tooth brushing time. Pediatric dentists work with young children all day, which makes them experts at getting young ones to cooperate. For more information, contact a children's dentist in Schererville and make an appointment.
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