"How do I get my toddler to brush her teeth? How to pick the right toothpaste for my toddler? How do I keep her teeth healthy?"
I feel your struggles mommy! I know how frustrating it is when toddlers won't brush their teeth. They are very notorious for eating sweets and putting random items in their mouths. Out of desperation, I know many moms tried to brush their toddler's teeth by wrapping the little one in a towel and holding them down. Imagine if someone did this to you. Is it traumatizing, right?
The idea of a 2-year-old crying because of toothache really scares me. Unfortunately, toddlers don't really understand the idea of cavities, no matter how scary stories you tell them. Trying to teach good dental care habits can be tough, but I have seen many families do it. Here are some #MakeBrushTimeHapeeTime tips that will get your child brushing by herself, sooner.
Children are naturally inclined to mimic you. They learn about the world through observation and then use mimicry to begin learning new skills. That's a very good thing! Use this as your advantage and let your child watch you as you brush your teeth. To make it more exciting, pretend to be a mirror while you and your kid brush together, and encourage them to copy your every move. You may also let your kid watch his/her older siblings while brushing their teeth. This is a great bonding moment for your family.
I feel your struggles mommy! I know how frustrating it is when toddlers won't brush their teeth. They are very notorious for eating sweets and putting random items in their mouths. Out of desperation, I know many moms tried to brush their toddler's teeth by wrapping the little one in a towel and holding them down. Imagine if someone did this to you. Is it traumatizing, right?
The idea of a 2-year-old crying because of toothache really scares me. Unfortunately, toddlers don't really understand the idea of cavities, no matter how scary stories you tell them. Trying to teach good dental care habits can be tough, but I have seen many families do it. Here are some #MakeBrushTimeHapeeTime tips that will get your child brushing by herself, sooner.
1. BONDING
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOLS
Children hate monotony, so why use the same flavor of toothpaste every day? Try having 2 or more different toothpaste flavors at home and let your child choose what flavor she likes every brush time. This gives them a sense of independence and strong self-esteem! The cute fun designs will also attract and help encourage your kids to brush frequently.
You're not just building good dental care habits but you are also allowing her to believe in herself and her abilities.
Our current favorite is the Hapee Kiddie Anti-Cavity Toothpaste.
Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste comes in seven flavors that children will surely love:
Hapee Kiddie Toothpaste comes in seven flavors that children will surely love:
- Strawberry Bloom
- Orange Squeeze
- Tutti-Frutti Twist
- Bubblegum Pop
- Cookies and Cream Ahoy
- Apple Crunch; and
- Juicy Grapes.
How about Fluoride in kid's toothpaste? Tooth decay happens when plaque (a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth) breaks down sugars in food. The bacteria produce damaging acids that dissolve the hard enamel surfaces of teeth. If left untreated, the bacteria can penetrate through the enamel and cause tooth decay (also called cavities or caries). These cavities weaken teeth and can lead to toothache, tooth loss, or infection.
Fluoride prevents the acid produced by the bacteria in plaque from damaging/dissolving the top layer of the teeth. It also helps damaged teeth to repair and remineralize itself.
It is essential to choose the toothpaste that contains the right amount fluoride and safe for small children. Hapee Kiddie Anti-Cavity Toothpaste contains kid-safe levels of fluoride, which will save your child’s teeth from cavities.
It is essential to choose the toothpaste that contains the right amount fluoride and safe for small children. Hapee Kiddie Anti-Cavity Toothpaste contains kid-safe levels of fluoride, which will save your child’s teeth from cavities.
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Using hard to medium toothbrush bristles may hurt your child's sensitive gums and teeth. Bleeding and painful brush time will create an unhappy impression on your child. Your dentist might suggest a brush with soft or extra-soft bristles.
3. Make Brush Time A Hapee Time
Toddlers may be impatient, but nothing beats a determined mom! Try these fun games to let your child finish the two-minute brush time:
Set a timer. Find a colorful kitchen timer or egg timer and overturn it during brush time. Ask them to keep brushing their teeth until the alarm rings.
Blue Owl Timer on the top right corner! Cute keeyow! Don't mind M's funny face. HAHAHA.
Sing-a-song. Play your child's favorite song while brushing their teeth. You may also create a simple chant before brush time to remind her about the deed. Your kids will love it!
Offer incentives. Consider offering incentives or reward charts to encourage your little one to brush their teeth. You may try using beads on a bracelet or stickers on your brush chart.
Watch videos. Some parents found out that their toddlers are more cooperative after showing videos with toddlers brushing teeth. Kids love to mimic other kids too.
Checking. Make sure to keep it fun while "checking" if there are any missed spots on her teeth. For instance, you may say "There's a cat in there?" "I need to catch the rabbit in your teeth." or "Let's count your teeth!"
Let her take over. After checking your toddler's teeth thoroughly, encourage her to take part in this routine. Let her play toothbrushing on her own for few minutes. Help them develop the skill by letting them explore their tools and teeth.
Try out these tips and let us know what works for your child!
