Techniques for Great Dental Care for Kids

Q. Dear Bracha: My children HATE brushing their teeth- any suggestions for making sure that we provide the right dental care for children on a daily basis?

A. The sad fact is that many children are less than enthusiastic about brushing their teeth. Perhaps it is because they don't see any value in it, cavities being very difficult for them to relate to and see as a real threat. Or maybe, in a child's world, anything that is not fun is not worth doing. Therein lies your only hope - making it fun.

Stickers and other incentives are fraught with difficulties; amongst other problems, your trust gets tested unless you are actually in the room watching your children brush. As we know, to be effective for cavity prevention, a child must brush for a full minute; some experts say that it should be even longer. Often, if left to their own devices, children will give a very quick brush, to say the least. I have even been asked what to do for a child who was putting toothpaste on the tongue instead of brushing in order to pass the ''breath test'' the mother administered. This mother was instructed to go for the ''plaque test'' and softly run the edge of a popsicle stick across the bottom of the teeth near the gum line checking for yuck. Needless to say, in this case, the child failed miserably.

Therefore, the best way to avoid many problems is to be in the bathroom observing what is going on; this will save a lot of time and arguments in the long run.

There are many ways to make it fun to brush your teeth. Some parents have a sand glass egg timer and have the children brush using that. These sand glass timers come in all sizes, measuring from one minute and up. Many children like music, and there are a variety of songs about brushing your teeth. Make a tape lasting the length of time you want your children to brush and get them ready to brush with the music! I'm sure you will be able to think of other fun ways that will work in your home and with your children.

The main thing is to do a good job with oral care. Not only does good brushing and dental hygiene lead to a decrease in cavities, but good oral care is now associated with better overall health.

Wishing you and your family all the best - Bracha