Help! My Child Won’t Let Me Brush Her Teeth!

A song, a soft toy, and a star are just some items that will come in handy when you're brushing your little girl's teeth.

<div class="ExternalClass4F7B613879004FC082B0AC2336495182"><p>Despite your best efforts, getting your child to even open her mouth has proved to be impossible, much less brush her teeth. Here's a few tips to make brushing a fun and less stressful routine for both you and your kid.</p><h2>Children See, Children Do</h2><p>Kids love to mimic their parents. Show them how your brush your teeth first, before you help them with theirs. Make sure you’re both in front of the mirror, so your kid can see both your reflections.
</p><h2>Brushy for Plushy</h2><p>Does your child have a favourite toy, perhaps a soft toy or a rubber duckie that’s always there during bath time? Pretend to brush the teeth of the toy and explain that everyone has to do this if they want
      <a href="https&#58;//www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1272/growing-kid-help-your-child-smile-for-life" title="Help Your Child Smile for Life">healthy, beautiful teeth.</a>
</p><h2>Baby, You’re a Star!</h2><p>It’s important to let your child know she’s done a great job each time she lets you brush her teeth. Why not make a little chart with two boxes, one for morning and one for night? Every time your kid cooperates and lets you brush her teeth, she gets a star on the chart! You could continue this practice when she starts brushing her own teeth as well.</p><p>
      <strong>Related&#58;
         <a href="https&#58;//www.healthhub.sg/a-z/medical-and-care-facilities/77/Paediatric-dentistry-child-first-visit-dentist" title="Paediatric Dentistry&#58; Child’s First Encounter">Paediatric Dentistry&#58; Child’s First Encounter</a></strong></p><h2>Sing a Song, Sing Along</h2><p>It could be any song; you could even make up your own! If your kid has a favourite song, play it so she’ll be entertained. You’ll find brushing her teeth a lot easier when she’s calm and relaxed. Bonus tip&#58; choose a song that’s two-minutes long so you know how long to brush your child’s teeth!</p><p>
      <strong>Related&#58;
         <a href="https&#58;//www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1272/growing-kid-help-your-child-smile-for-life" title="Help Your Child Smile for Life">Help Your Child Smile for Life</a></strong></p><h2>Let Them Decide</h2><p>When shopping for a toothbrush and toothpaste, let your toddler have a bit of say. Giving her a sense of ownership helps motivate her and gets her excited about brushing her teeth. Remember that toothbrushes need to be replaced every 3-6 months.</p><p>You know your child best, so think of different creative ways to
      <a href="https&#58;//www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1102/6-tips-to-make-brushing-teeth-fun-for-kids" title="6 Tips to Make Brushing Fun for Kids">make brushing a fun activity</a> instead of a chore. It is important to make
      <a href="https&#58;//www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/2029/guide-to-oral-care-for-toddler">brushing a regular habit</a> as soon as possible, because even kids can get
      <a href="https&#58;//www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/488/Early_Childhood_Carries_sdhf" title="Early Childhood Caries (ECC)">tooth decay</a>.</p><p><em>Download the HealthHub app on
   <a href="https&#58;//play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sg.gov.hpb.healthhub&amp;hl=en_SG" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Google Play</a> or
   <a href="https&#58;//itunes.apple.com/sg/app/healthhub-sg/id1034200875?mt=8" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Apple Store</a> to access more health and wellness advice at your fingertips.</em>
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Tuesday, October 23, 2018

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Help! My Child Won’t Let Me Brush Her Teeth!

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