If your child refuses a toothbrush into his/her mouth or gags, here are a few tips and strategies to help make tooth brushing a fun and tolerable experience. Find more tips over at Hampton Roads Peninsula Pediatrics.
1) Toothbrush - try different sizes, bristle firmness, handles, and colors before you find the one the suits your child. Try: a battery or electric toothbrush that has a slight vibration or sings or lights up.
2) Toothpaste - consider the taste. Sometimes it is better to just use none (some children just suck the toothpaste off the brush and think they are done, anyway!). So, try altering the brand, use less, or start without using any toothpaste.
3) Water Temperature - experiment with different water temperatures when brushing his/her teeth. Warm, rather than cold water may be better tolerated. 4) If a toothbrush is not accepted, at all, start by helping him/ her wipe their teeth clean using a damp washcloth.
5) Use a Mirror - He/ she may allow you to help brush if you stand behind your child while he is looking into the mirror.
6) Change Location - try brushing at the table, after dinner, to get rid of food on teeth. Or, try the bathtub.
7) If you have a child with Sensory Challenges, prepare your child before you start brushing:
Provide deep touch beginning with the child’s arms and legs, and progressing towards the face and mouth.
Tap the child’s gums firmly from center to each side on the upper and lower gums.
Attempt to desensitize your child’s face, lips, and inner mouth for the tooth brushing. Some ideas: while your child is looking into the mirror or at your face, use a soft washcloth to firmly rub his/her cheekbones, borders of the nose, cheeks, chin, and lips. Do this using firm pressure and in a predictable manner. Do this in the same order each day. Finally, place a portion of a damp, slightly warm washcloth into his/her mouth. Encourage him/her to bite down on it while you gently tug on it.
8) Finally, after you have gotten the toothbrush in your child's mouth, you'll need to teach her/him to tolerate it for two whole minutes. So, sing a familiar short song throughout the process. When the song is over, the tooth brushing ends. Or, use a sand timer to indicate when tooth brushing will end.
Hampton Roads Pediatric Dentistry recommends seeing the dentist every six months. Sometimes the information coming from the doctor, at the doctor's office makes things less of a struggle. Let us help you encourage your child. Please remember to make tooth brushing a game - and fun. Think: "Attacking of the Cavities" or "Plaque Germs Away!" Make tooth brushing part of your child's daily routine. Twice a day - every day.