What Should I Do if My Child Doesn’t Want to Brush Their Teeth?

• Why Your Child Will Not Brush Their Teeth
• Tips to Deal With Kids Not Brushing Their Teeth
• When to Seek Professional Help

Brushing your child’s teeth is important to maintaining good oral hygiene and establishing healthy long-term habits. The problem is when your child outright refuses to brush their teeth. 

At Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we specialize in pediatric dentistry. Our team is committed to making oral health care as fun and stress-free as possible. Here’s what you should do if your child doesn’t want to brush their teeth.

Why Your Child Will Not Brush Their Teeth

There may be various reasons why your child dislikes brushing their teeth:

• Taste: Your child may not like the taste of toothpaste.
• Experience: Brushing can be uncomfortable or ticklish if your child has sensitive teeth and gums.
• Age: If your child is a toddler, chances are they don’t like standing still for two minutes while you brush their teeth. 
• Parent attitude: You can inadvertently add to your child not wanting to brush their teeth if you approach things incorrectly.

Tips to Deal With Kids Not Brushing Their Teeth

There are many adverse effects of kids not brushing their teeth, so brushing is a nonnegotiable task for any parent. Here are some tips to make the process easier:

• Make it fun: Let your kids choose the characters on their toothbrushes and their toothpaste flavors. You can also use a sticker chart where your child places a star every time they brush and receives a reward for completing a row of stars. 
• Lead by example: Toddlers love to mimic parents. Make brushing a family activity, brushing their teeth and allowing them to clean yours for fun. Pull funny faces. Keep things light and messy.
• Teach through play: Kids learn best through play. Use age-appropriate dental activities, such as singing songs, telling stories and using their favorite characters, to highlight the importance of brushing and flossing and create positive associations. 
• Use a timer: Any timer will do, but you can also use cute two-minute timers available online.

When to Seek Professional Help for a Child Who Does Not Want to Brush His Teeth

If you have exhausted all techniques and tricks and still need help getting your youngster to brush their teeth, contact a pediatric dentist for assistance. At Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’ll check that it’s not a physical sensitivity to brushing. Our team also goes the extra mile to see your child smile, using various toys and educational tools to help.

Get Support to Boost Your Child’s Oral Hygiene

Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is here to support you in caring for your child’s oral hygiene. We make pediatric dentistry fun, informational and relaxing. If you need help, tips or questions answered, contact us online to speak to our professionals.