"When I became a mom, I thought that clipping nails was one of those tasks I'd rather skip, forget, and never return to. It's known that you learn through practice, so now trimming my little one's nails isn't a problem. But there's something else that keeps me up at night: brushing my child's teeth. Twice a day, as a mom of a three-year-old, I deal with screams, crying, kicking, and scratching. Will it ever end?" - writes our reader.
Is brushing your child's teeth a nightmare?
It's recommended that children brush their teeth at least twice a day, in the morning after waking up and before bed. Brushing should last around 2-3 minutes. Of course, young children can't brush on their own, so parents have to take the lead, but as everyone knows, this isn't an easy task. "Brushing my child's teeth is like fighting in the octagon. I'm tired of the daily struggle," writes our reader, who is a mom of a three-year-old boy. "Ever since his first teeth came in, our home doesn't resemble those ads. It's crying and screaming as if I'm peeling his skin off. Sometimes I give up, sometimes my husband has to help. Is it like this for everyone? Will kids ever grow out of this?" she asks.
There are, however, different ways that can make brushing a little easier for a mischievous child. "At first, I tried asking nicely, then I tried threats. Now I have a method, but it doesn't always work. When we go to the bathroom, I ask my son to brush my teeth. It helps. Then he lets me do the same, which means I can brush his teeth. But honestly, sometimes even that doesn't work, so I have to bring out the heavy artillery and promise that tomorrow we'll go get another new toy car," she adds.
So, is there any way to convince kids to brush their teeth?
If you're a parent looking for a magical solution to get your child to like brushing their teeth, I have to disappoint you. Sometimes it just happens naturally and becomes a habit. Does it get easier with time? As a mom of a child who goes to daycare, I can only say that we also have our good and bad days. And what do the experts say? On the @taty_stomatologa profile, there are a few tips on how to make brushing a little easier for yourself (and your kids).
The expert suggests several methods, including:
- Stand behind your child, preferably in a semi-reclined position, so you can better control their movements and lift their upper lip.
- A good place for brushing teeth is, for example, the bed, which allows for good head support.
- Use two toothbrushes - one for brushing and the other for play.
- Perform quick horizontal movements on both sides to remove as much food residue from the teeth as possible.
- Be a good example - brush your teeth together.
