‘My son hates brushing his teeth – what can I do?

This question came through my ‘Sue Atkins Parenting Show’ podcast……..

Question: ‘My son Stuart hates brushing his teeth – what can I do? Chris Grayling from Edinburgh in Scotland

Make a Game of Brushing Teeth & ‘Talk & Teach’ Your Kids about The Cavity Monsters

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1. The minimum amount of time your children should brush is 2 minutes. Set a timer and see if they can continue for the correct amount of time. Play music or dance to make it fun if they are reluctant!
2. Brush along with them. … Brush your own teeth while your child is brushing. Get down on their level so they can see what you are doing.
3. Ask your children to show you how clean their teeth are after getting rid of all the cavity monsters.
4. Work together to establish a clear routine and stick to it!
5. Reinforce the importance of brushing teeth by giving them good, clear reasons. Tell them that brushing everyday helps to prevent cavities and will give them a beautiful smile.
6. Demonstrate how to brush in circles, like train wheels going around on a track from left-to-right and right-to left.
7. Show them how you brush all their teeth, top and bottom, front and back.
8. Let them pick their own toothbrush & toothpaste – some toothbrushes even feature their favourite characters. Let them pick a couple of different ones, so they can have fun choosing which one they want to use.
9. Children’s toothpaste comes in a variety of flavours and varieties- as strong mint isn’t always a favourite for kids so let them use their favourite one.

Make a Game of Brushing Teeth

• The minimum amount of time your children should brush is 2 minutes. Set a timer and see if they can continue for the correct amount of time.
• Brush along with them. Have a contest to see who can create the most bubbles with their brushing.
• Ask your children to show you how clean their teeth are after getting rid of all the cavity monsters.

Compliment Your Child’s Brushing

• You want them to develop a life-lifelong oral care routine, so use positive reinforcement.
• Create a sticker chart and give them stars for brushing their teeth twice a day and for flossing once a day. Then reward them on a Friday/Weekend by doing some ‘ING’ activity with you – like cookING, paintING, bike ridING, gardenING, readING, playING football, cricket, throwING & catchING, or a board game.

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