In this blog post, we will discuss why babies may rebel against brushing their teeth and provide a few tips on how to make the process easier on both you and your child.
How To Brush Baby's Teeth When They Refuse? - Hacks
Oral hygiene is a necessary part of child development.
Baby teeth are the first to be lost, and there are ways to help make brushing easier.
Some parents brush their baby's teeth when they refuse to do it themselves.
When parents brush their infant's teeth, they improve their oral hygiene and set a good example for their children.
Why You Should Brush Your Baby's Teeth
There are numerous reasons why brushing your baby's teeth is important.
Here are a few:
- To prevent tooth decay.
Bad breath can be caused by several factors, including bacteria in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Brushing helps keep this bacteria under control and prevents it from causing bad breath or gum disease, which can cause problems with your child's speech development.
- To improve self-esteem for children who may feel less confident about their appearance due to having braces or other dental work done at young ages.
It is especially important if they are still learning how to brush properly on their own.
Hannah Holt
When You Should Start Brushing Your Baby's Teeth
The answer depends on your child's age and development, but brushing their teeth as soon as they can sit up on their own is generally recommended.
By this age, the first tooth should have emerged, and the other teeth will likely start to erupt shortly afterward.
As those tiny incisors grow, you will notice them as they poke out from behind your baby's lip or tongue.
In general, it is apt to wait until your baby has teeth that are fully formed before starting regular tooth-brushing habits. Still, it might be time to get started if you are anxious about whether your little one has grown enough for regular dental care or if there are any safety concerns.
Getting To Know Your Baby's Mouth And Teeth
- Brush their teeth
It is important to know how to clean your baby's teeth because there are some things you can do that will help them keep them healthy and strong.
You should brush twice a day for about two minutes, with fluoride toothpaste or gel on the outside of the toothbrush and not inside.
You can use a water flosser to go even deeper into their gum line.
It is especially good if they have braces or other dental work in progress at this point.
- Floss their teeth regularly too
If your baby does not like brushing with regular floss, try using water instead.
It feels cool against those little gums.
To Brush Or Not To Brush If Your Baby Refuses?
Do brush your baby's teeth.
If you are not sure, brush them anyway.
Look for signs of tooth decay, which can be seen by brushing your baby's teeth once a week and watching for plaque build-up on their gums and between their teeth.
If you see signs of decay, consult your pediatrician right away so they can recommend an effective treatment plan for your child's specific needs.
How To Brush Baby's Teeth When They Won't Let You
It can be a real challenge when your little one refuses to let you brush their teeth.
But there are ways you can still get in there and help them keep their teeth clean and healthy.
- First, try using a moistened toothbrush instead of a dry one.
It will make the bristles easier to work with and will also make it easier for the baby to hold onto the brush.
- Second, try using a bit of water-based toothpaste on your finger and rubbing it on the back or side of the baby's gums rather than directly on the toothbrush itself.
It will help loosen any food particles stuck between the baby's teeth or interfering with them falling out on their own.
- Finally, if all else fails, try offering your child something sweet after they have brushed, like milk or juice, so they associate brushing with something pleasant.
General Tips
When your baby does not let you brush its teeth, it can feel like you are running out of options.
Sometimes they just are not in the mood to be brushed, or they might be fussy because they are teething or sick.
But there is a good chance that you can get them to brush and floss themselves if you work at it.
Here are some tips on how to brush toddlers' teeth when they refuse:
- Use a soft toothbrush with no bristles.
- Make sure you have a mirror nearby so that you can see what you are brushing, and they can see too.
- Get them excited about brushing.
If they do not want to let go of their toothbrush after brushing one side of their mouth, try brushing other parts of their face first.
It may take a few times before they realize this is just part of the process.
- Use an infant toothpaste that has fluoride in it.
- Try holding them still and brushing their gums.
If they are still not cooperating, try putting them on their back while you brush.
- Try putting a little water in your hand and using it as lube.
- Ask your dentist if they have oral care products that would work for your child.
What To Do If Baby Won't Let You Brush Teeth
If you have questions about brushing your baby's teeth, do not hesitate to ask your pediatric dentist for advice.
Your child may be teething and just not interested in anything else, but it does not mean they are not ready for a toothbrush.
If your baby refuses to brush their teeth on their own, do not feel bad as it happens sometimes.
Just make sure that they are eating well and sleeping enough so that they have energy for brushing later in the day when he feels more awake and alert.
And if possible, try moving away from distractions while doing this task, like watching cartoons, so there is less chance of something exciting happening while attempting this task yourself.
Our Final Words
We hope this blog made you understand more about how to brush your baby’s teeth if they refuse.
It can feel like an impossible task when your baby will not let you brush their teeth.
You might be tempted to give up, but there are ways to get the job done with just a little persistence.
It is noteworthy that there are different approaches to be taken when it comes to brushing a child’s teeth, and there may be times when you need to step back and leave things up to the dentist.
