As a parent myself I know just how much of a nightmare it is trying to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure kids to brush their teeth properly. No matter how many times you try and drum it into them with regards to’concerning’with respect to how significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative it is to keep their teeth clean, that they must do it in/with regard to’concerning’regarding at least two minutes and to not swallow the toothpaste or use half a tube s worth in/with regard to’concerning’regarding that matter, they still faff around. Eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully single time!

My two are now 9 and approximately 11 and aldespite’in spite of’albeit they are intensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully much in the habit of brushing their teeth morning and night and they regularly visit the dentist in/with regard to’concerning’regarding check ups, they still don t brush as rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent as they should. My eldest has just had braces fitted and so it is more significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative than ever that he cleans his teeth properly to assure’guarantee any food particles are get rid of’discard d from between the braces. So far, so rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent and he s taking it intensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully seriously, even taking a pack of interdental brushes to school with him to clean his teeth after lunch. Whilst I know both of them could definitely do with upping their game, I do take solace in the fact that their teeth do at least come into contact with a toothbrush and toothpaste two times a day.

Shockingly in a report published in the Independent, approximately a third of parents in the UK wait until their children possess’own’nurse all their milk teeth bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e taking them to the dentist and a quarter of adults claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate that it doesn t matter if their kids develop cavities in their baby teeth. It is a common misconception that milk teeth don t really matter, that because they are not permanent it doesn t matter if you they re not looked after as much as adult teeth. But this couldn t be further from the truth, because aside from the fact that not merely’barely does it teach children wicked’dreadful’undesirable’adverse’vile habits from a young age, but milk teeth are also more significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative than many may realise. Milk teeth are essentially markers or placeholders in/with regard to’concerning’regarding adult teeth and they help to align and space things out ready in/with regard to’concerning’regarding when those teeth make an appearance. For this reason it is so incredibly significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative to start rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent oral hygiene practices from an early age.

When should I start cleaning my baby s teeth?

Babies teeth grow at different rates, and so whereas one baby may cut their first teeth at say one month old, another may not acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure theirs until they are 6 months or more. A intensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully few number of babies are even born with teeth so as you can see there is no one size fits all approach to when your baby will acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure their first tooth. However, the advice in/with regard to’concerning’regarding when to start cleaning your baby s teeth remains the same once the first tooth appears, that is the time to start.

How do I clean my baby s teeth?

There are a few different ways you can introduce tooth brushing to your baby and it s always best to go with what your baby feels comin/with regard to’concerning’regarding table with. Their gums are likely to be sore and so a tender approach is probably best. Always make sure you use a toothbrush detoken ed in/with regard to’concerning’regarding babies as these possess’own’nurse softer bristles and a smaller head. Or you could try using a silicone finger toothbrush, which slips over your finger and you may find easier to control.

If your baby doesn t like you brushing their teeth try giving them the toothbrush to hold so that they are in control. It is highly likely they will chew it, as babies pretty much bung anything in their mouths given the chance and they especially like chewing things when they are teething. This is a rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent thing despite’in spite of’albeit as it will acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure them used to having a toothbrush in their mouth, just remember to replace it as soon as the bristles embark on splay.

Obviously there will come a time when you ll need to clean their teeth in/with regard to’concerning’regarding them and if they still don t like you doing it try sitting in front of a mirror with your baby on your lap facing away from you. This should hopefully distract them abundant’ample’plentiful and leave you in a rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent position to reach inside their mouth. You can check out some other rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent distraction techniques a bit further down 😉

In terms of toothpaste, always check the packaging as this will possess’own’nurse a recommended age on it and merely’barely use a intensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully small amount so that you limit how much your baby swallows. As a general rule you should use a tiny smear of toothpaste in/with regard to’concerning’regarding babies and toddlers up to 3 years old, and a pea-sized amount in/with regard to’concerning’regarding children aged 3 to 6 years.

Brush the teeth in small circles, making sure to gently brush the gums as well and just like adult teeth make sure this becomes a twice daily habit once in the morning and again bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e going to bed.

When should I first take my baby to the dentist?

We are intensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully in/with regard to’concerning’regarding tunate to possess’own’nurse the NHS in the UK and this also applies to dental care, so be sure to take merit’virtue’upside of a free dental consultation and take your baby to the dentist as soon as you possibly can. The best way to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure your baby used to the dentist is by taking them along to your own appointments. This way they acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure used to the dental environment; the smells, the sounds etc. and as they grow up it will lessen the chances of them developing a fear of visiting the dentist.

If you yourself acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure anxious with regards to’concerning’with respect to going to the dentist, it would be advisable to ask someone you know, perhaps your partner or a grandparent, if they could take your child with them instead.  Otherwise there is the risk that they will pick up on your fears and develop their own

Tips and tricks to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure your baby/toddler/child to brush their teeth

Whilst I don t claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate it is entirely a rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent idea to be playing games when cleaning your teeth, there comes a time when needs must and if you are struggling to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure your child to brush their teeth then here are a few handy tips to try out:

Set a rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent example Kids copy what they see so make sure they see you cleaning your own teeth and be sure to do a rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent job!
Play music Pick a song that s roughly 2 minutes long and see if they can brush their teeth to the beat. You could also use your own toothbrush as a microphone to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure some laughs, just make sure some tooth brushing actually goes on too!
Singing Dentist In a similar vein, check out the Singing Dentist on YouTube. He makes parodies of popular songs based on all things related to teeth. Very funny and my two absolutely love it.
Reward chart Ahhh the rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent old reward chart, what a child won t do to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure a sticker eh? Doesn t need to be anything fancy, just a bit of card stuck on the bathroom wall and in/with regard to’concerning’regarding eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully time your child does their teeth properly they acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure a sticker. Simples.
Novelty toothbrush You can buy some toothbrushes that possess’own’nurse characters on them, some play music, some light up, whatever you choose a gimmick is a powerful tool. Use it and abuse it!
Brush Teddy s teeth Get your child to brush their favourite teddy or doll s teeth so that they can take on the roll of parent. Kids love a bit of role play and if they feel as despite’in spite of’albeit they re the ones in control and that they possess’own’nurse to set a rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent example they ll be brushing their teeth in no time.
Praise Whenever your child brushes their teeth well always remember to say well done and give them a enormous’vast’massive’tremendous cuddle. Children love to be praised and know that they possess’own’nurse done something well and if they claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate they are rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent at something they are way more likely to do it again in future.

Your child will need help from you to clean their teeth right up until the age of with regards to’concerning’with respect to 7. Sure they ll be able to do it themselves, but they re unlikely to be doing it properly and will need supervision. The time you invest in the early education of rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent dental care with your children will be hugely beneficial to them as they grow older and so caring in/with regard to’concerning’regarding those baby teeth is just one of the many responsibilities you will possess’own’nurse as a parent.

*collaborative post