Oral health is extremely important, not only for us, but our little ones too. A healthy mouth is essential for babies too. From teething to big kid teeth, there is a lot to learn not only for your child, but parents as well. Oral care plays a huge role in our little ones health and wellbeing. Did you know that everything starts even before you see their first little tooth poke out of their gum? It sure does, which is why it is important to clean babies gums before they have teeth, brushing your toddlers teeth, and even seeing that they eat better to keep their mouth super fresh and clean.
Does Your Toddler Have Everything They Need For a Healthy Mouth?
Having kids is not easy, there is so much to remember, and worry about. Lucky for us, we have information at our fingertips, and proper oral care is not one of them. Here are a few tips for you to be sure your toddler has everything they need for a healthy mouth.
Does My Toddlers Diet Play a Role In Oral Care?
Yes! Did you know that a healthy diet is essential to development of stronger teeth and gums? It sure it, and we as parents need to be sure our children have a great oral care diet. If your diet is missing certain nutrients, bad things happen in our mouth. It is important to know what foods help your little one, and you for that matter maintain a healthy mouth.
Should I Take My Toddler to the Dentist?
Yes, it’s a great idea to take your toddler to the dentist. My dentist recommended that my daughter go see him when she was 12 months. However, if you have questions do not be scared to make that phone call, and ask questions.
When Should I Allow My Toddler To Brush Their Own Teeth?
Honestly, I do not think there is a certain age. I started allowing my kids to play with their toothbrush as soon as they were interested. Of course, I had to go back over their teeth. I also was sure to tell them what a great job they did. Starting good habits as early as possible is great for your baby/toddler.
How Often Should I Brush My Toddlers Teeth?
At least twice a day, for at least 2 minutes each time. Sounds pretty doable right? If only it was always that easy.
What if I cannot get my child to brush their teeth?
Don’t make them. If I have learned anything with 4 kids, and 5 nieces and nephews it is that every child is different. They do things at a different pace, and should not be forced to do anything until they are ready. When you try to make them brush, suddenly it is not fun, which will make it harder for you in the long run. You can try finding ways to make them more interested in brushing.
How Can I Make Brushing Fun for My Toddler?
Here are a few tips to help make brushing fun. In my opinion you should make it fun from the start. This way when they think about brushing they associate it with fun things.
Brush like You Mean Business, Fun Business That is.
Another tip is to make brushing fun! We have a little dance we do, and NO I will not show you. I don’t even allow my husband to watch our brushing dance. Let’s just say the two little ones look mega cute, and I look like an uncoordinated person who shouldn’t be dancing in such a small space, lol. One day my daughter told me, “Mom, its okay if you don’t want to dance today. Your knee is still fat.”
YUP, one day during our brushing dance I took things a little too far, and let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. Things fell, okay I feel, and took everything off the counter with me, but it is okay because my little toe broke my curling irons fall. Oh, it wasn’t on. The only good thing that happened to me that day. I still don’t know what I did to my knee, I thought it was my head that hit our bathtub, but maybe I hit my knee so hard I thought it was my head.
Oh, and get this. Anytime my husband asks the girls to show them how mom does the brushing dance, they reenact my fall. After watching them do it, I am truly lucky to be here today lol. Yes, we take brushing to another level in our house, but it is fun. All my kids love to brush with mom, probably because they want something to talk about at school, but hey if they are brushing I do not care how silly I have to act.
Positive Reinforcement
I also tell them what a great job they are doing, and tell them I cannot believe how big they are getting. I want them to feel good about what they are doing, because it is a huge deal learning to brush on your own, and a huge amount of responsibility you will be passing on to your child. Tell them, and make them feel good about what they are doing, and let them know how important of a job it is.
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Let them choose their own oral care tools. If they are doing the job, they should like the tools they have to complete the job.
I still remember how excited my nephew was with his very first training toothpaste, it was Aquafresh Fluoride-Free Toothpaste. He loved the little guy on the front, and even made everyone try it. Which, I have to admit, I wish my toothpaste would come in Apple-Banana Flavor. Still not sure why it doesn’t, but anyway he loved his toothpaste.
Aquafresh, the little mouth experts ™
Did you know that compared to your tooth enamel, your baby’s is 50% thinner? That’s why you need expert protection! Aquafresh, The little mouth experts ™ provides parents with great training toothpaste, which is Fluoride-free, safe to swallow, with no artificial colors, or preservatives.
Aquafresh Training Toothpaste is for babies and toddlers 3 to 24 months old. I also love the information on the back of the box. It provides parents with directions, and a few helpful tips, like once your child shows you they are ready to spit toothpaste into the sink, Aquafresh brand recommends switching to Aquafresh Kids Toothpaste with fluoride. Yes, Aquafresh grows up with you even into adult years. That’s why they truly are the tooth experts!
There are a few other great tips on the box as well. You’ll also notice information about Aquafresh’s Training toothbrush, and it’s GREAT design. It truly is designed with your baby’s teeth in mind. Its super gentle, offers a flexible neck, and soft bristles to so it is nice and gentle on your baby’s/toddlers gums.
Oh, and I can honestly say I wish my toothpaste tasted this great.
Mattie is a little for training toothpaste, but if it is new and her cousin is going to be trying it you better believe she is willing to brush an extra time to try it. My nephew Corbin has also tried the toothpaste, and come to find out he has been using this kind since he was a grown up. Yes, no joke he told me so .
Mattie even asked me why her toothpaste didn’t taste like Jessica’s toothpaste. I tried to explain things to her, but she doesn’t understand why she is old enough to play with Jessica and they cannot use the same toothpaste, lol. They are less than a year apart, so it is hard to explain. Either way, both the girls really liked the toothpaste, and we give it two thumbs up!
Oh, and you are definably going to want to check out the Aquafresh app, learning to brush video and make brushing fun page. You’ll find more great tips, fun, and games for the kids! See brushing can be fun, even from your smartphone thanks to Aquafresh, The little mouth experts ™!
Please use product as directed on the label.
