Parents who struggle with their children over dental care can sometimes feel like they are the only ones who have a child who absolutely refuses to brush their teeth. Well we are here to tell you that you are not alone. This struggle goes on in every bathroom at one point or another. Don’t feel guilty about occasionally giving up and don’t feel like you are alone. Instead figure out what is causing the battle and turn it into a success.

The potential reasons behind your child’s dislike of dental care are endless. Your child may be trying to assert their independence and refusing to let you brush their teeth seems like a great way to do that. Some children simply don’t like toothbrushes because they are uncomfortable or they aren’t used to them yet. Others seem to refuse for no apparent reason at all. Whatever the reason behind the struggle over good oral hygiene remember one thing, you are not alone and there are some great tricks for overcoming this challenge.

• Let your child pick out their own toothbrush. There are often fun cartoon characters on children’s toothbrushes so it can be fun to let them pick out which one they like. If they like their toothbrush they are more likely to use it.

• Let your child brush his or her teeth first so they begin to understand how to clean their teeth and feel part of the process. You will likely need to finish things up to make sure the teeth are actually clean.

• Make sure your child’s toothbrush is designed for his or her age group. Many of the toothbrush manufacturers have different toothbrushes for different ages. This will help make sure the toothbrush is the right size for your child’s mouth and the bristles are soft enough.

• Consider buying a few books about dental care. Children learn a lot from reading and seeing pictures in books. You can begin reading these books at a young age so your child is familiar with dental care from early on.

• Build dental care into your child’s routine early. Before your child has teeth you can use wipes or a wet cloth to clean their gums. When your child gets their first tooth you can begin introducing the toothbrush. If your child knows that brushing their teeth is part of the routine everyday they are more likely to be accepting of it.

• Brush your teeth together as a family. When it is time for your child to brush their teeth, brush your teeth as well. Make a game out of it. Your child is more likely to agree to brush their teeth if they see that it is something that everyone in the family does.

• Take your child to the dentist early. The American Dental Association recommends that children see the dentist when their first tooth appears, or at least by their first birthday. Dentists are great at making children understand the basics of oral hygiene and helping get kids involved in their own dental care.

The tricks and techniques that work for your family will depend heavily on what the cause of your child’s dislike of tooth brushing is and the age of your child. Young children may be more open to things like books about dental care or choosing their tooth brush, while older children may get the most out of a trip to the dentist. The most important thing to do is to build dental care into your child’s routine early. Children appreciate routines and are more likely to actively participate in something, like brushing their teeth, if it is expected at the same time every day. Set an example for your children by practicing good oral hygiene yourself and encourage your children without getting frustrated with them.

Sources and Additional Resources

• American Dental Association
• KidsHealth
• Save Your Smile