William Kidd's Site

Chances are when your child first started showing signs of erupting teeth their doctor instructed you to take a soft and wet washcloth and gently wipe them clean a few times a day. As babies, kids rarely fuss over this type of thing done by a parent and a tooth cleaning is a breeze. But, when the child gets older there is much more work to be done in terms of dental hygiene.

Using a soft toothbrush to clean a child's teeth will happen as they get more and more teeth in their mouth. It's important for parents to facilitate the early teeth brushing routines of the toddler and child. It's a great idea to use non-fluoride toothpaste like Baby OraGel for toddler dental hygiene because it's safe to use and was created for younger brushers.

Be sure you're only putting a very small amount (pea sized amount) of toothpaste on your child's toothbrush whenever you show them how to properly brush their teeth. Younger children will swallow the toothpaste and won't know when to spit out the excess so a small amount is recommended. In addition, your child's teeth can become stained if you do not use non-fluoride paste.

As kids grow and become more independent, it can be difficult for parents to control their teeth brushing. Kids may start lying about how often or how thoroughly they're brushing their teeth. While the child may not want parent help with teeth brushing, they may not be responsible enough to take on the task without supervision.

Many times kids don't want to brush their teeth at all and some will even lie that they brushed when they didn't. Parents must take action to really examine the teeth to see if they are being brushed correctly.

For younger kids who are just starting to brush their teeth on their own, here are a few tips to use to encourage them to want to do this necessary task.

* Parent And Child Brushing Together: Chances are your child watches your every move and learns things along the way. So, why not making teeth brushing a habit you do together? Set aside time to always brush your teeth together and stick to it. Your child will see how to properly brush their teeth and adore your company.

* Choosing The Brush: Should you want your child to feel happy about the process of brushing their teeth, let them be a part of the entire process. Allow them to choose their toothbrush, without your interference. There are many fun toothbrush styles featuring cartoon characters or bright colors. Just ensure they are choosing a "soft" brush sized for a child's mouth.

* Do not Criticize Too Quickly: It may take your child a while to be able to properly brush their teeth without help. So, be certain you give them a chance to hone their skills. Offer them easy tips and calm pointers without being critical. If you are too harsh they may not want to do the task at all, which will only make your life more difficult.