Ok, so you’ve caught your slippery, slimy jumping frog, otherwise known as your two year old and it’s time to brush his or her teeth. In the past two segments we’ve tried eliminating the fear, using peer pressure, counting to five, naming your child’s teeth and even getting them a Brushing Buddy, in order to complete the toothbrushing ritual. Here’s the last of my tips – good luck, you’re gonna need it!
FIND THE RIGHT TOOTHBRUSH
Parents always ask me which toothbrush is the best. The best toothbrush is the one your child will allow you to use; the one that helps them want to brush their teeth. Some kids are excited by Barney, some by Cinderella and others by Spiderman. Get the toothbrush that your child accepts and excites them about toothbrushing. Please note that this may mean having multiple tooth brushes for different days or different moods!
REWARD SUCCESS
Keeping track of successful toothbrushing sessions is helpful. A calendar stuck to the mirror is fun or a sticker on a chart can be a reward for a job well done. After your child earns a set number of stickers, or at the end of each month, offer your child a prize like a new toothbrush or new toothpaste flavor.
WATCH TV
Who was it that said brushing had to be in the bathroom? Maybe a change of scenery is in order. How about the living room while the TV is on? I'm not advocating television as a substitute to personal interaction but let's be truthful - for some people, TV is a visual narcotic with sedative effects and, depending on the challenges facing each family, this may be a viable option. You also can experiment with iPad/iPhone apps for brushing, too. We've tried "Teeth Timer;' "Monster Mouth;' "Ali's Teeth Out" and "ibrush," to name a few.
TRY A TAG TEAM
Of course, there will always be children out there who are destined for the World Wrestling Federation. No amount of coaxing, singing, counting, pleading, begging or stickers is going to convince this little athlete that clean teeth are better than dirty ones. In this situation, I might suggest a two-person brushing technique I call the "Tag Team:'
This brushing technique can be rough, but consistency and routine will make things better over time. Here's how it works:
• Find an adult partner and sit knee to knee.
• Lay your child's head in your lap while the other adult supports your child's body in his/her lap.
• Have your partner lean forward and hold your child's arms and legs while you brush the teeth from above. This position will allow for better access and visibility to the operator/brusher. (Note:
I feel that using toothpaste in this position can be particularly unpleasant for children because it can run down the back of their throat. Please remember to take breaks and allow your child to swallow or clear his mouth. Better yet, use a dry toothbrush while lying down and toothpaste when in the upright position.)
I hope these ideas can help you or someone you know. To keep my grandsons interested in toothbrushing, I need to come up with something new every sleepover night. It's not always successful and it can be frustrating. However, most of our successes are a variation on the ideas I’ve presented in these three segments.
For many children, routine and familiarity rule the roost, so changing the order in which teeth are brushed or even the song you sing while brushing can cause stress. There is nothing wrong with that. Find what works and sail with it.
