It is not entirely clear what children find quite so horrifying about brushing their teeth. You remind them to brush their teeth the first time. The second time as well you manage to be quite calm. The next round involves a fair amount of yelling from your end. Of course, this makes you the bad guy for raising your voice.
Dental health and kids are a never-ending struggle that will only abruptly come to an end when they hit double digits. Until then, it is an uphill battle. There are, fortunately, a few subtle strategies that you can employ when it comes to healthy teeth. This way you will only need to visit your dentist for a checkup instead of lengthy treatments. Here is how you can encourage healthy habits:
Brush with Them
Kids love mimicking adult behavior; it makes them feel so much more grown up. You can use this to your advantage. When it is time for them to brush their teeth, do it alongside them (you can pretend if you have to). This will encourage them to brush their teeth and will also allow you to keep an eye on them as they do so. You can even make a game out of it. Ask your children to follow your every move. Throw in some funny faces while you are at it. It is important to reinforce the idea of fun when teaching your kids about brushing their teeth.
Pick Your Moments
Your children will be less likely to want to brush their teeth if they are tired or if it is cutting into their playtime. This is why you should always carefully carve out some time that won’t elicit a fuss from the little ones. You can do this as soon as they wake up before they have had time to start on another activity. You should also not wait until bedtime before getting them to brush their choppers. They may be too grumpy and tired to do so. Instead, do it a little while after they have had dinner.
Milk
Milk is generally liked by most children. It is also really good for their teeth, particularly after a meal. Give your kids a little bit of milk to wash down their dinner with as this will reduce the chance of acid developing in their mouths. Acid tends to corrode teeth and can cause cavities and other tooth problems. As tempting as it may be, you should not give your child flavored milk. You should also not give them milk right before bed as the sugar may cause tooth decay.
Apples
Handing out apple slices is a great way to ensure that you are giving your children’s teeth some extra protection. It is particularly effective once your children have just had a meal. The apple helps to create a flow of saliva in the mouth. This washes away any remaining food in the teeth and mouth. Give your kids apples in easy to hold slices. Even chewing away at the fruit may help.
It is a messy job but somebody has got to do it. These few guidelines should make it just a little easier for you to get your little ones to keep their teeth healthier.