Tips for Dealing with Reluctant Teeth-Brushers Most parents have been there at one time or another: It's bedtime, your child is tired and cranky, and the very last thing they want to do is brush their teeth. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, enforcing healthy oral care habits just seems like more trouble than it's actually worth. Of course, ignoring oral hygiene can eventually have dangerous consequences, including tooth decay, sore gums, and even serious illnesses. If your child only resists brushing their teeth once in a great while, it may be worth it to relent so as not to create a terrible battle the next time they need to brush. But if brushing teeth is already a fight every single time, here are some tips that may help!
For young children When young children refuse to brush their teeth, it's usually due to a combination of wanting to control their situation and disliking something about the brushing process, be it the sensation, the taste, or anything else. Buying your child a second toothbrush to be used as a toy can be a great help – let your child pretend to brush their stuffed animals' or dolls' teeth to get comfortable with the idea of having their own teeth brushed. Alternatively, you can make a game out of brushing other items or body parts. (“Do we use a toothbrush on dishes? No! Do we use a toothbrush on tummies? No!”) Sometimes simply holding another toothbrush in their hands as you brush their teeth provides enough of a sense of control for kids to relax. Toddlers and preschool-aged kids love to mimic what their parents do, so try brushing your teeth at the same time your little one brushes theirs and make a big deal about how fun and grown-up it is. Better yet, try taking turns – you brush their teeth, then they brush yours. (Little kids don't yet have the dexterity to do a thorough job on their teeth, so anything you can do to get them to let you do a once-over on their teeth is important!) Try to sustain the amount of time the toothbrush makes contact with your child's teeth by counting their teeth as you brush them, singing a song, or pretending to chase an elephant (or other animal) around inside their mouth. Give your child as much control as possible when it comes to brushing their teeth. Young children love choices, so let them choose the (age-appropriate) toothbrush they want at the store, and let them choose the kind of toothpaste they like. Some kids want a fun flavor, such as bubblegum or strawberry, while others are more concerned with the character who adorns the tube of toothpaste. Try letting your child do most of the brushing on their own, and then let them
choose a friend (a doll or a puppet) to help you hold the toothbrush while you “finish up.” You can even let your child choose when they want to brush their teeth – right after dinner (but no snacks after brushing, of course!), before or after putting on pajamas, even during a bath. The ultimate goal is to help kids understand that taking care of their teeth is an essential part of their morning and evening routines, just like bathing, getting dressed, brushing their hair, etc. Consider using a sticker chart to check off each part of their daily routine. No matter what, avoid holding your child down or forcing their mouth open, as this will teach them to associate teeth-brushing with stress and frustration and will only exacerbate their reluctance. For older children When older children refuse to brush their teeth, it's usually either due to apathy or, again, the desire to exercise control over their situation. Most kids stop being motivated by playful games, songs, and other distraction techniques by early to mid elementary school, so it can be helpful to use a fact-based approach. Use books, pictures, and online videos to help your child understand how tooth decay occurs and what its consequences are, including stained teeth, bad breath, cavities, gum disease, and infections that can affect other body parts. You can also enlist your dentist to help get the message across. Purchase disclosing tablets, drops, or swabs that color plaque residue on teeth to help your child see how much plaque is in their mouth and where they need to do a better job of cleaning. Explain to your child that while it's generally a good idea not to worry what others think of them, it's a natural human tendency to shy away from people with poor hygiene, and you would hate for them to miss out on friendships or other opportunities simply because of bad breath or unhealthy teeth. As with young children, you can increase your child's sense of control by allowing them to choose the toothbrush they want (these days there are even “smart toothbrushes” that connect to apps on your phone, although they're a lot more expensive than your average toothbrush) and the toothpaste flavor they like. You can also consider rewarding your child for a job well done – track how often they brush their teeth thoroughly without a fight, and let them earn perks that you decide on together. Hopefully this will lead to the establishment of a good habit that you no longer have to monitor. Tiny Texans Pediatric Dentistry in Austin (http://tinytexanspediatricdentistry.com/) is here to offer advice and support to your family through every step of your kids' oral hygiene journey, from the highs to the lows!