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10 Ways to Make Brushing Fun!
 You can start using a finger toothbrush or a baby toothbrush to brush your
baby's teeth.
It takes many years before children develop the fine motor coordination
they need to do a good tooth brushing job. One dentist advises that parents
brush their children's teeth until the child can neatly write his or her
own name. Other dentists suggest parents use their own judgment, but think
about ages six, seven, or eight, as a time for kids to take on the job of
keeping their teeth clean and healthy.
While brushing is usually a fun experience, your child may go through a
cranky phase when he or she hates to brush. if this happens, try not to make
tooth brushing a battleground. Be casual and lighthearted about it all, brushing
your own teeth with great gusto and delight, so your child sees how much
fun he or she is missing.
Remember that bedtime brushing is most important and, during the day, offer
your child lots of plain water after meals.
Here are some ways to make brushing fun
and easy for parents and kids:
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Brush with your child — Stand next
to your child in front of the bathroom mirror and brush together.
It's a nice time together, and your child can mimic your brushing
technique.
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Brush in bed as part of the bedtime
routine — Since Baby
Orajel Tooth & Gum Cleanser is safe to
swallow, your child can climb in bed and begin unwinding. Some
nights you might even include one of the many books available on
taking care of teeth or visits to the dentist.
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Cute toothbrushes — There are lots
of great-looking children's brushes available in stores. Be sure
to choose a toothbrush that's small enough for your child to hold
comfortably, with a small, rounded head and very soft, polished
bristles. You'll probably have to replace toothbrushes every three
to four months (more often for preschoolers who tend to chew while
they brush!). For babies, a soft finger toothbrush is easy for
you to use.
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Tasty toothpaste — For children under
4, choose a product formulated especially for children, like Baby
Orajel Tooth and Gum Cleanser. It has a special mild flavor that
babies and toddlers love, in Fruit or Apple-Banana. It's also safe
to swallow and non-abrasive. So tooth and gum care is easier and
more fun.
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Count as you brush — Count out loud
as you brush each tooth: "Tooth number one is all clean! Tooth
number two is all clean! Here comes tooth number three!" This is
entertaining for your child, and a good way to practice counting.
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Say Ahhhhh! — You can't say "ahhh" with
your mouth closed. As you brush his or her teeth, encourage your
child to say "ahhh," varying the pitch, tone, and rhythm to keep
things interesting.
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Bring a friend — At bedtime, kids may
want to invite a favorite stuffed animal into the bathroom to watch
as they brush.
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Tell a toothy story — Kids love to
hear favorite stories again and again. Try making up a special
short story that you tell only during teeth-brushing time. It can
be simple and silly, like this one:
"Once there was a little girl (or boy) who had very, very dirty teeth! Oh no!
said the little girl. What should I do? Boo hoo! Boo hoo! (At this point, your
child can supply the sound effects.) Then all at once, a magic fairy appeared
and said, I have a special treat for you! It's a magic toothbrush! Hooray! said
the little girl (boy). The magic toothbrush jumped up and brushed the dirty teeth
just like this (you brush teeth), until they were as shiny as the stars in the
sky. This made the little girl (boy) smile the biggest smile in the whole wide
world — just like this smile right now. (Your child smiles a big smile at the
mirror.) The end." |
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Make a sticker poster — Hang a piece
of bright construction paper on the bathroom wall. Each time your
child has a thorough brushing, he or she can choose a sticker or
star and put it on the poster. You can also have your child color in Thomas, Percy, James and Gordon on our Thomas & Friends "Brushing
Chart" .
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Sing a toothy song — Make up a silly
song to sing every time you brush. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece.
Try something like this, sung to the tune of "Old MacDonald Had
a Farm:"
"Now we're gonna brush your teeth! E-i-e-i-oh!
And then they're gonna be all clean. E-i-e-i-oh!
With a brush, brush here and a brush, brush there, Here a brush,
there a brush, everywhere a brush, brush, Now your teeth are nice
and clean! E-i-e-i-oh!"
"Now it's time to brush your teeth! E-i-e-i-oh!
Let's go start right from the top. E-i-e-i-oh!
With a brush, brush here and a brush, brush there, Here a brush,
there a brush, everywhere a brush, brush, Now your teeth are
nice and clean! E-i-e-i-oh!"
"Now it's time to brush your teeth! E-i-e-i-oh!
Time to brush up from the bottom. E-i-e-i-oh!
With a brush, brush here and a brush, brush there,
Here a brush, there a brush, everywhere a brush, brush,
Now your teeth are nice and clean! E-i-e-i-oh!"
"Now it's time to brush your teeth! E-i-e-i-oh!
It feels good to clean the back. E-i-e-i-oh!
With a brush, brush here and a brush, brush there, Here a brush,
there a brush, everywhere a brush, brush, Now your teeth
are nice and clean! E-i-e-i-oh!"
"Now it's time to brush your teeth! E-i-e-i-oh!
Clean the front so you can smile. E-i-e-i-oh!
With a brush, brush here and a brush, brush there,
Here a brush, there a brush, everywhere a brush, brush,
Now your teeth are nice and clean! E-i-e-i-oh!" |
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