Back to School Tips from Your Dentist - #3

As you get back into the rhythm of school life, make sure brushing twice a day is part of your family routine. If you’ve got reluctant brushers, here are some tips to encourage the habit:

• No one likes having stuff pointed in their face. Before you start brushing, let your child hold and play with the toothbrush - let them dunk it in water and experiment with it a bit to get used to it.
• Brush with your child. Take turns brushing each other’s teeth.
• Take breaks. Count to five for one part of the mouth, stop, take a breath, open up and brush to five again.
• Name their teeth! When they open up to brush, say “I see Abby and Andrew and Candice! Hello, Paul, Richie and Freddie!” See if they can remember the names each night or make up new ones. Be amazed by how many names can fit in their mouths!
• If your child likes to teach and lead, get your child a Brushing Buddy - a stuffed animal or doll that your child can demonstrate good tooth brushing habits to.
• Reward success with a sticker on a calendar near the bathroom mirror and the promise of a new toothbrush when they earn a set number of stickers.