Tooth Care For Toddlers - How to get it Done Right!

Tooth care for toddlers could be tricky. If you're blessed having a toddler who is just naturally cooperative, that's great... and you're in the minority. However, most parents have to approach tooth care carefully and with lots of encouragement.

The Best Way to Brush Your Toddler's Teeth!

The development of your toddler will figure out the technique you use to clean his or her teeth. What I describe below is what I call tooth care for toddlers "stage one."

Before the molars come in, the process is relatively easy. You just clean the teeth and gums having a wet soft washcloth or some other soft, clean cloth. How simple is that? You can occasionally use a little soap...JUST KIDDING! No soap, please!

Now when the molars come (that would be around 18 months) you can begin using a children's toothbrush. At this point it is best just to use water (no toothpaste at first) and to do it a couple of times a day. Please, be gentle; you would not want to have your kid clamping his or her jaw when he sees that toothbrush coming at him, would you?

It would be a great idea to thoroughly clean your toddlers tongue too, but be careful not to go too far back. You can add just a little tasty children's toothpaste as the teeth start popping up and your child knows not to swallow it.

Tooth Care For Toddlers - Stage Two!

"Stage two" is for when your toddler is obtaining a little much more coordinated and is ready to be a "big boy" or "big girl" and brush his or her own teeth. Now don't expect miracles here...your toddler is not going to begin off doing a good work.

A good plan is to brush your teeth together. This will encourage your kid to brush his or her teeth regularly and make your child feel better because you are doing something together. One more advantage is that you are able to inspect each other's teeth, and when your child does a poor work you can say, "Ops, you missed a spot," and finish the job for your kid.

Most importantly, give your child a lot of praise when you see him or her performing a good job so that he or she will wish to continue to complete it right.