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As a mother and mothercraft nurse I tend to at this age recommend the
bite and play method.
A good routine is more appropriate than "good brushing" so if she
brushes/plays/bites every night before bed and can see you do it too then
god oral hygiene will follow. Children learn best from
immitation and a lot of people forget to brush their teeth in front of
their children - really we must let them see us do it too.
Make a point of doing your teeth and letting her watch so she can see
what you are doing and how.
They learn how to feed themselves through biting and playing with the
spoon and watching Mum and Dad and others eat so the same applies to
brushing teeth. They learn through seeing it done and just being
given the opportunity.
At about 2 yrs i start to ask if I can help a bit and get a few quick
brushes in to actually clean before the bite occurs - it becomes a bit of
a game between biting and brushing. Then as the child gets older and
learns you talk about how clean the teeth are etc...it is all just a
progression and very like the progression of feeding. My three yr
old has almost got it now he looks in the mirror and tried hard to go
round and round at the front and then does the top and bottom and we do it
otgether with me instructing him while he does it. If he has been
eating chocolate or somethign I will ask to have a turn and he generally
lets me.
At first you feed an they play with the spoon then they feed but you
assit and soon enough they are doing it all by themselves. So don't
panic - it will happen if you set the example and provide the opportunity
it happens!
Good Luck
Don't stress
Rhonda.
-------Original Message-------
Date: Friday, November
08, 2002 11:48:08
Subject: [ozmidwifery]
BRUSHING TEETH
Dear
List,
>Can
anyone tell me when a good time to start brushing a baby's teeth is?
>She's
14 months and has 9 beautiful teeth. She eats no sugary foods (unless
>they're
naturally occurring, such as in fruit) and has her own toothbrush
>and
natural toothpaste, with no SLS or fluoride in it. I've tried brushing
>on
numerous occasions and it's a lot of fun, but not that effective, as she
>finds
biting the toothbrush and swallowing the toothpaste far more
>interesting
than having a good brush. Should I not stress about it, or
>should
I work harder to establish an effective oral hygiene routine?
>I'm
asking you guys as I take the available information from toothbrush and
>toothpaste!
! manufacturers with a pinch of salt...
>Love,
>Lyn
Cottee
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