Brusha, Brusha, Brusha
Start Baby's Oral Health Regimen at Birth
“Before the baby has teeth, he probably won’t have oral bacteria, which become established in colonies on the teeth,” McTigue explains. “But it’s still not a bad idea to use a washcloth to rub the gums. It gets baby in the habit of having something in her mouth”—so she won’t balk (as much) when she does get teeth.
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After First Tooth, it’s Time to Start Brushing
“Tooth brushing should start as soon as baby has a tooth,” McTigue says. “The best thing is to use a baby toothbrush, a small brush with very soft bristles.” Parents should brush the child’s teeth for two minutes, twice a day, he says. “Just scrub them. To try to teach children to use a certain stroke is hopeless,” as is trying to use the recommended circular motion on a squirming child.
Make Tooth-Brushing Fun
“Link nightly brushing to an activity they enjoy and look forward to, like reading a story before bedtime,” says Dr. Edward H. Moody Jr., a dentist in private practice in Morristown, Tenn., and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Make it part of their routine: First we brush your teeth, then we read a book.
“The best tip I ever heard is to play a song that the kid loves on the iPod or another device.” McTigue says. “Usually songs last two-and-a-half to three minutes, and have the kid brush their teeth for the length of the song.”
Set up a Rewards Chart
“Use a chart to track brushing and allow them to earn stickers or credits toward a particular toy or a trip to the movies,” says Moody.
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Parents Should Brush Child's Teeth Until 2nd or 3rd Grade
“You should brush your kids’ teeth until they’re 7 or 8,” says McTigue. “The reason is because otherwise they just take a couple of quick whacks with the brush, or just brush the front teeth.” In other words, they don’t do a thorough job of cleaning their teeth.
“The ages between 7 and early teens are tough ages,” he admits. Kids are too old to allow you to brush their teeth and too young to care much about their hygiene, as teens are. The best strategy is just to encourage them and monitor them as much as possible, he says.
Take Kids Shopping for Products
It’s the same concept as letting them shop for fruits and vegetables: “Let them pick their own toothbrush color and toothpaste flavor so that they feel involved,” says Moody. “Many of the newer battery-operated toothbrushes have built-in timers and light up or play music.” While manual toothbrushes work as well as battery-operated models, anything that encourages brushing is worthwhile.
