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Routines really do make the world go round. From bedtime to school days, your child’s life is dictated by a series of patterns. Toothbrushing should be no different. Not only is it essential for maintaining good oral hygiene, but it affects everything from your child’s speech development to jaw formation.
With dental care, it’s never too early to build a good toothbrushing routine. Whether you have a baby or a toddler, here are 6 ways to get you started on your journey:
Start as you mean to go on
All babies are born with teeth waiting just below their gumline – it’s even been known for the odd tooth to appear at birth, imagine that! As soon as milk (breast or formula) enters your baby’s mouth, the potential for harmful bacteria to settle on their gums begins. This is where you need to step in and introduce your child to a dental hygiene routine.
But my baby has no teeth showing yet? That may be true, but a simple wipe of the gums with a soft, moist cloth or a specially formulated dental wipe will take care of those unwanted bacteria. What’s more, the more routine tooth care becomes, the easier it will be to move on to the next stage when their first tooth makes an appearance.
Plus, milk or primary teeth are the placeholders for your child’s future mouth. So taking care of your little one’s teeth and gums from the start will ensure proper speech and structural development for your child.
Include brushing at bathtime
One of the easiest ways to introduce your little one to toothbrushing is to include it as part of their bathtime routine. First off, they are already in the water, so it’s as mess-free as possible, but it also quickly establishes brushing as part of their bedtime routine.
With dentists recommending that all children and adults of all ages brush their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes, it just makes sense.
You can also quickly make the idea of brushing fun by turning it into a bit of a game, where the brush has to save the princess by removing all the bits of leftover food from their teeth. Or you can get musical at bathtime, and make up a toothbrushing song to your little one’s favourite nursery rhyme.
The power of choice
Nothing is more empowering to a toddler than being given a choice. We’re not saying go wild, but letting your child pick from a selection of 3 or 4 brushes will encourage your tot to feel a sense of ownership over their toothbrush.
With a world of kids toothbrushes available online, in the supermarket and in your local pharmacy, your child has more choice than ever before. From your favourite PJ Mask or Paw Patroller to Disney and the Minions, there is something to engage every child’s imagination.
Then you need to think about toothpaste. From fluoride-free apple to gentle mint, strawberry and even chocolate flavour pastes, your tot will enjoy discovering their favourite!
Lead by example
It may have escaped your notice, but you are your child’s absolute hero. You are the one they look to for comfort, for guidance and how to figure out where they fit and how to interact with the world around them.
Like everything else, the best learning starts at home. So show your little one how it’s done! Brush your teeth in front of them and let them see the movements you make. If you’re feeling particularly brave, let them give it a go too!
If your babe is already sitting, you can also try the mirroring technique. So they can simply imitate your actions. Even if they’re not quite getting it right, it’s more about the process rather than perfection at this point.
Don’t neglect the dentist’s chair
The NHS recommend that you book your child’s first dentist appointment either when their first milk tooth appears or before they reach twelve months. That way your tot can get familiar with their dentist, and know what to expect from an early age.
What’s more, your dentist specialises in, you’ve guessed it, teeth! They will offer you all the best brushing technique advice, foods to eat and avoid and signpost you in the right direction for further advice. Search for a family dentist in your area, for example, dentist Peterborough near me will bring up the best results.
Your child’s dentist experience doesn’t have to be one of fear. Try and keep calm and positive, and even get Hey Duggee involved with the Tooth Brushing Badge Song and book for extra oomph!
Make it comfortable
If brushing your little one’s teeth is a new phenomenon, it’s likely they aren’t going to like having a foreign object put in their mouth. At first, your tot might resist a toothbrush, simply because it feels odd. But don’t worry. Like all parenting, persistence ultimately pays off in the end.
Try and sit your little one on your lap, so that they can feel your heartbeat. Gently brush each tooth, one at a time, and make sure you get every part of the surface brushed well.
For babies, it’s recommended that you only use a small grain of rice sized amount of toothpaste, or simply stick to water if necessary. It’s all about the sensation and building a routine at this stage.
Between the ages of 3 and 6, your tot can start having a pea sized amount of toothpaste on their brush. Make sure that your child only spits at this stage, and doesn’t rinse out the enamel building fluoride.
Until your child is at least 8 years old, you must supervise your baby or tot whenever they are brushing their teeth. Not only does it ensure their safety, but it means you can monitor their progress and can step in where necessary.
Building a good toothbrushing routine is all part of your child’s oral hygiene journey. Establishing a good brushing technique as early as possible, will make each stage easier. What top tips will you use as part of your routine?
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