How to Keep Your Children Brushing Their Teeth

Steps

1. Make sure that your child can reach the sink . Have a small foot stool available, if necessary.
2. Give smaller children interesting or fun brushes. How about one with their favorite character on it, like Barbie, Scooby Doo, Daffy Duck,or Spongebob Squarepants.
3. Buy your child or children their own small tube of toothpaste in a tasty flavor; plus their own small dental floss, in a flavor of their choice. Also include that with a character. Their care for their teeth today will reflect tomorrow and be sure to show them how to brush and floss.
4. Make it seem worthwhile for them to brush, such as getting to pick an extra story to read before bedtime, or choosing a game to play if it is during the day. Children respond to rewards, but don't overdo it, since teeth brushing is just something that has to be done, and it would be hard to give rewards every time.
5. Remember after brushing, ask them if their teeth feel clean and have them "double check" with their tongue. If not, brush again.

Tips

• Make sure that your child or children get enough Calcium, in their daily diet, such as drinking milk...add a little chocolate to it, such as (Coco or Chocolate syrup) if necessary...and keep around their favorite cereal; Calcium promotes good strong teeth and good bones.
• If you are a working parent that works long hours, it may be hard to make sure that your child or children are brushing their teeth. However, if they learn to enjoy Dental Care, it shouldn't be a problem...so be a good teacher, by showing them the way.
• It may help to even get them their own tooth brush holder and a cup or small glass to rinse their mouth, something that would interest a child, items that are in like a cartoon character, or favorite action hero.
• The main things is to compliment your child or children when they are doing a good job on brushing their teeth; tell them how nice their teeth look and what a good job they're doing.
• Make sure your child visits the dentist regularly, starting as soon as possible after they get teeth. Call your dentist to see what age they recommend.

Warnings

• Don't get an adult toothpaste for small children as it might burn their mouths.

• Most dentists recommend avoiding fluoride toothpaste with children until they are old enough to understand they have to spit the toothpaste out (usually sometime after 3 years of age). Swallowing too much fluoride can be hazardous to children's health. Check the label on the toothpaste, it will say clearly if it does or does not contain fluoride.

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