As a Parent, one of the times we don’t look forward to is “Teeth Brushing”. It’s either we have them spend unplanned hours in the bathroom, or we just have the house heated up with screams in the bathroom.
There’s always something new to push away ‘Brushing time’. This particular morning I heard my daughter scream, “I don’t want to brush my tongue!” It cracked me up real good because it used to be, “I want X” and when X shows up, it changes to “ No I want Y”. I laughed really hard that morning, thinking, “If you have done the teeth, the tongue shouldn’t be much of a challenge”.
Brushing time used to be the most dreaded time for me as a Parent and I’m sure it is for most parents too. This Parent is like, “I’m sorry we are late, M won’t brush her teeth”. Another one says, “They both spend time in the bathroom thinking whether to get the toothbrush into their mouths or not”.
We all know how important it is to brush our teeth. The fact that it prevents plaque, odour, are reasons to want a child to always brush the teeth. In fact, as a teacher, you don’t want to perceive anything as a result of ‘unbrushed teeth’.
Understanding this parenting challenge, how do we get the children pinned down to simply using the exact time allotted to brushing their teeth every morning and of course at night?
Well, these are some of the steps I Put to Use:
- Make tooth-brushing fun by singing and dancing along as they brush. Remember children can get easily distracted. Seize that opportunity to achieve your aim. I watched a video of a toddler being potty trained. This child loves “Mickey Mouse” and so the mother distracts him with a video of Mickey Mouse while he sits still in his potty.
- Brush along with them. Let them see you brush too. They could even be allowed to brush your teeth, or even that of their favourite toys. It will amaze them and also encourage them to brush too.
- Provide a variety of child-friendly toothpaste and allow them to choose which they prefer. Children love variety.
- Be consistent. Create a brushing routine and stick to it. Try also to use tooth brushing as an example whenever you need to speak about good behaviour. Let it often be all about tooth brushing.
- Praise the child for each properly cleaned out part of the mouth.
- You could also try to get a new toothbrush. Remember, children are often thrilled by new stuff.
The tips above could be time-consuming, YES! And that’s the reason you should create time to make it work.
Of all my children, I had the brushing “saga” with the last. These tips worked a great deal and can work for you too!!!
