Hello everyone and thanks for visiting the Ask the Paediatricians Blog where we address common health issues and concerns by Mums.
One of the most frequent questions Mums often ask us Paediatricians is the issue of resistance to toothbrushing by children especially the toddlers. According to most mums, many toddlers are not very interested in the process at all.
In this article, a Dental Surgeon, Dr Tosin Bolarinwa addresses the perennial questions on “how do I brush my baby’s teeth?” and many others and we hope you do find her answers and wonderful tips useful in overcoming the tooth brushing resistance.
Most mums are often frustrated by the efforts required to just brush those small and few teeth.
Dear Concerned Mums, Toothbrushing resistance by toddlers is a problem faced by Mums all over the world so you are not alone. The key to success is persistence!
Most children do not like tooth-brushing at this stage and the temptation for every battle weary mum is to just give up altogether but please don’t.
You just have to keep trying everyday and night until your child realizes that this is something that must happen daily. Thankfully most children outgrow this phase as they grow older.
Here are a few helpful tips:
- Children at this age are motivated by fun and reward so you can incorporate this into tooth-brushing time.
- Make it fun, play music or sing a song like “This is the way we brush our teeth………., incorporate your child’s name. Give praises at the end of the activity.
- You can create a tooth-brushing chart where you put a smiley face, a tick or a sticker when you finish brushing your child’s teeth.
- Brush your teeth in front of your child and make it look like you are enjoying it! Keep your child’s toothbrush within reach when you do this, it doesn’t have to have toothpaste on it. Children this age like to copy, once your child has had fun copying you, then you can say ‘Mummy’s turn’ and put a smear of toothpaste on the brush and gently talk your child through the process as you brush their teeth and explain why you are doing it- to have clean healthy teeth.
- A nice looking age appropriate toothbrush will also be a good incentive.
- Please be careful with flavoured toothpastes so your child doesn’t get into the dangerous habit of licking toothpaste because it smells so nice.
- You can also let your child pretend to brush their toy’s teeth or your own teeth.
- If you have an older child who has passed this phase and is cooperative when your are brushing their teeth, you can use them as a model, brush their teeth first in front of the little one and give praises afterwards, your child will be willing to go next.
- Consistency is key, make tooth-brushing a part of their daily bathing routine in the morning and part of their bedtime routine at night.
- Tell-Show-Do is a method that has been proven to work with children over the years so Mums, tell them why it’s important, show them by example and just do it!
Most Mums who have been through this phase will tell you that one day the struggle just ended and tooth-brushing became easier so there is hope!
You can send your questions and comments in the comments box or email askthepaediatricians@gmail.com
This doesn’t xplain how to brush or clean a baby of 9mnths teeth…
This is the article for overcoming toddlers resistance to brushing teeth. For oral hygiene, read here
Pls give me tips on how to clean a 9months old teeth.
The tips are already in the article. Kindly read again.
I started using baby toothbrush for my baby at 1 year but she cries when brushing, I had to go back to cotton wool. Will this properly clean her teeth?
Use soft and age-appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste. Kindly read again and implement some of the tips given in this article on how to brush teeth for toddlers. Cotton wool will not properly clean her teeth.
My baby is 3months he doesn’t let me wash his tongue..wat do I do
It is not difficult to wash the mouth or tongue of a 3 month old. Use clean cloth and water only. You can wrap round your finger and use the finger to depress the tongue and clean out the tongue.
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Thank you Emmett. You can also check out our Facebook group here Ask The Paediatricians
Brushing in front of my son makes him eager to brush his teeth. Some days, he refuses but I’ve established a routine with him.
Great job Janefrances, keep it up!
Gudevening ma’am….I started cleaning my child’s tongue at 7/8mnths n now he’s 11mths with 7tooths which I think is too few to brush cos of hurting his gums.Can I leave the teeth n continue only with his tongue till more tooths come. Thank u
No Amara…The dentists recommend using toothbrush and toothpaste even if it is only one tooth that is out. 7 are definitely many and you should start brushing them immediately Read more here
I noticed that my baby’s teeth is changing colour after the use of 7 keys, pls ma how can I make it white again, she is just 8 months. Thanks
Well please STOP the medication o and see a dentist for further evaluation