Twice-daily teeth cleaning is a crucial component of good oral care, no matter your age. However, it's especially important for toddlers, as it helps minimize plaque and bacteria, encourage healthy tooth growth, and prevent inflammation and disease. Unfortunately, many toddlers resist the toothbrushing experience because it's full of new and awkward sights, sounds, and sensations. Here are a few tips for getting your toddler to cooperate with regular toothbrushing.

How to Prevent Your Toddler From Resisting Toothbrushing

1. Invest in Several Toothbrushes

When it's time for a morning or evening teeth cleaning, give your child a selection of brushes to choose from. Purchase several different toddler-size brushes in various colors and with different themes, such as cartoon characters, superheroes, and animal shapes. Ask your child which brush they want to use; this invites them to be part of the process and helps generate interest and maybe even excitement about brushing.

2. Make It Fun

There are many ways to make brushing fun for your toddler. Check out the vast selection of online videos made just for this purpose, offering songs and games to play during brushing time. You could also make a playlist of fun songs your child likes, and only play this list during toothbrushing. You could also invite them to brush (without toothpaste) the "teeth" of their favorite doll or stuffed animal. The more engaging and hands-on the approach to brushing, the greater the likelihood your toddler will want to do it.

3. Don't Stress About Toothpaste

Toddlers often find the taste and sensation of toothpaste unpleasant when teeth cleaning. If they resist the minty versions, try one of the fruitier flavors that are widely available. However, if these too are unpalatable to your child, don't stress about it too much; just brush with water. At this point in their young lives, it's more important to get into the habit of brushing twice a day and learning proper technique than it is to use the right toothpaste, or any at all.

Twice-yearly professional teeth cleanings should be a part of your child's dental care routine. Gregory E. Utecht, D.D.S., serves patients of all ages in the Lincoln, NE, area. Dr. Utecht and his team offer general and cosmetic dentistry procedures, from exams, fillings, and dental crowns to teeth whitening and dentures. Call (402) 477-3456 to make an appointment or visit them online to explore their services.