Many caring parents worry in advance about when the child will start brushing their teeth. This factor relates to the health of the baby, but can there be something more expensive and more substantial than the well-being of your own child? Young children are interested in the procedure itself, but rarely do any of them like to perform it.
The question of when a child should start brushing his teeth is inherently controversial. It would seem that here is complicated? As soon as the first teeth appear in the child, you should give him a brush in his hands. But it’s not so simple. The fact is that milk teeth appear in babies aged about six to eight months. At this time, they still can not independently take care of the oral cavity. Then, maybe, parents should brush their teeth a bit? And how to do it at such a young age? When to start brushing your child’s teeth and how to teach him to do this? As you can see, a lot of questions arise.
Mom's fears
Most often, it is the parents who are most worried about the baby when he has to do something for the first time. "Suddenly he will be hurt? Will I harm him?" - so restless mothers argue. Even if the baby just shakes his head at the sight of a toothbrush, grumbling displeased to himself, his mother is already worried. What else bothers parents? Often there is a feeling that "we are a young family, and therefore we can do something wrong." You should trust yourself more, the maternal instinct, it will not deceive.
Baby age
Much depends on how many months or years a child is of age. Still, in the first place, it is necessary to proceed from this component. It’s clear that at six months it’s too early to even think about a toothbrush, but you can gently wipe the small teeth with a wet gauze swab dipped in warm water. You can also use a sterile bandage, just make sure that it does not crumble and inadvertently does not fall into the baby's airways. It is recommended to add a little table salt to the solution. This element has an excellent bactericidal effect and easily copes with its task. Salt really kills microbes, prevents their reproduction.
I would like to draw the attention of parents to the fact that there is no and cannot be a definite answer to the question of when to start brushing a child’s teeth. Up to one and a half years, toothpaste during brushing will be superfluous, closer to two years it can be gradually introduced into the mandatory program. The child will even like the fact that he, as a big man, takes care of himself.
Character Features
Not every child will let mom calmly take even the softest and most pleasant brush in her mouth. Most babies will cry, kick, and in various other ways express their displeasure. When is the best time to start brushing your child’s teeth? Is it really necessary to wait for the moment so that he can do it consciously and independently? So you can lose half your teeth!
It’s much easier for calm, complaisant children to allow their mother to carry out the necessary manipulations. They will watch you with interest, without objecting to unusual and incomprehensible actions. It will not be easy for a child who is capricious, moody, and has a character to agree that they get into his mouth with some strange thing with the intention of cleaning something there. Such a baby is unlikely to like it, but because he will immediately cry loudly in your arms.
Teach you how to
It is not difficult for an adult to pick up a brush and brush his teeth. Note that actions have long been automatic. It is unlikely that anyone is thinking about this, most likely, at this moment you even have time to think about something outside, right? A child is a completely different matter.
The kid had just recently come into this world, and therefore he had not yet had time to bore him. If you are still deciding when to start brushing your child, then immediately teach him to do it right. If he is mistaken, gently correct, but be sure to ensure that the result is achieved. If you diligently praise, then motivation will increase.
Personal example
Together with mom brushing your teeth is much more fun than one. At first, keep your child company. Show him how to care for his oral cavity. Explain that this procedure must be performed twice a day: morning and evening. You can stand with the whole family next to the child, if the bathroom allows. As a rule, everything is done faster and better in the company. Do not neglect the daily hygiene procedure yourself and do not let the child do it. Avoid negative remarks against manufacturers of toothpastes and brushes. Otherwise, the crumbs may have a bad impression, which subsequently requires correction. Make sure that the child does not swallow the toothpaste. It is not very beneficial for the body. Choose toothpastes for children with low fluoride content.
Brushing toy
Surely your baby has a favorite doll or a soft teddy bear with which he does not part for a minute? All this can be used as a good motivating tool before the child starts brushing his teeth. Let him take the toy with him to the bathroom, even let her mouth a little with toothpaste. How much delight and fun you get in return! A good mood in the baby is guaranteed. Together with his favorite toy, the baby will gradually master this simple action himself and begin to carry it out without any extra reminders on your part.
Do I need to force?
Sometimes children start to tricks, so as not to brush their teeth. They spend their time in the bathroom, wet the brush with warm water and put it back in the glass. Of course, it is sometimes very difficult to recognize a lie, especially if the baby neglects the much-needed and important hygiene procedure only occasionally. He may not have a bad breath , but his teeth will gradually deteriorate. From the very beginning, have an explanatory conversation with the child. Tell us why you need to brush your teeth and what will happen if you regularly break this rule.
Do not let your child fall asleep in the evening without brushing his teeth. Select a special watch for this. When it’s time for the child to brush his teeth, do not entertain him with anything interesting, so that he is not distracted and does not forget to do it. It is better to postpone outdoor games until the morning. It is not necessary to force, it can only scare away, but be persistent and demanding.
How to prevent caries formation?
It is known that problems with teeth arise not only in those who have patients with them initially. Many children develop caries as early as three or four years old only because they did not take good care of themselves. In many cases, in such cases, there is a flaw in the parents. It is sometimes better for children twice a day to remind them of what needs to be done. A rare child will be delighted with the type of dental office, and his visits cannot be avoided if the teeth begin to break down. Children are sometimes ready to endure pain only so as not to go to the doctor, and this is fraught with complications and very deplorable consequences.
Thus, the question of when a child begins to brush his teeth has a double meaning. On the one hand, it is worthwhile to teach him to perform this simple, but necessary action as soon as possible, on the other hand, it is extremely important that the baby learns to do this himself, without your prompting. Grow healthy and happy! Good luck and joy!