As a parent, you know that it’s important to take care of your child’s teeth. Even when they’re a little baby, oral hygiene is still important. Of course, it’s all well and good to say that, but not every baby is all smiles and giggles when it comes to brushing their teeth. Some straight up hate it. So what’s a parent to do?
Why They Don’t Like It
Most people don’t seem to mind brushing their teeth, so what’s up with babies disliking it? There may be a few reasons behind their displeasure with the process. It may be uncomfortable, especially if the bristles of the brush are too strong. You may unintentionally be using too much pressure. They may have sensitive gums or just find the unfamiliar feeling of the toothbrush in their mouth to be disconcerting. It could even be for something as simple as it being boring for them.
Why You Should Do It Anyway
Regardless of the reason why your baby dislikes their teeth being brushed, it’s still important to do it anyway. Sure, their baby teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth. Those baby teeth have a job to do in the meantime though. If they develop cavities or other problems, they aren’t going to be able to do their job properly. It could even impact the permanent teeth before they’ve erupted.
How to Make It a Better Experience
There are a few things you can do to make brushing teeth a more pleasant experience. Let them see you brushing your teeth. Babies and small children can be master imitators. If they see you brushing your teeth and enjoying it, they may find it more enjoyable too. Feel free to find ways to make it fun. Sing silly songs, play games, or even give them something to play with while you brush their teeth. Try putting them in front of the bathroom mirror so they can see what you’re doing. They may be distracted enough by their image in the mirror that they forget to be upset.
If your baby hates having their teeth brushed, take comfort in knowing that you aren’t alone in that struggle. Plenty of darling little ones find tooth brushing to be a distasteful experience. Just keep doing your best and remember to take them to see the dentist on a regular basis. Their teeth will thank you (even if your baby doesn’t).
Your child’s oral health journey has only just started. Learn more about what to expect as your child grows out of babyhood here.