Teaching your child a predictable nighttime routine will not only bring a number of benefits to your child, it also eases the stress that some families typically experience at nighttime. It helps your child understand and learn to expect what comes next.
One of these routines that your child must learn is brushing his teeth. Teach your kid to spit out the extra toothpaste, but don’t rinse with water immediately as the little leftover of toothpaste is good for their teeth. Their teeth can also be flossed once they touch. Take note that the last thing to touch the teeth before going to bed is the toothbrush.
As soon as the baby is born, you can already practice oral health habits. You may use a soft washcloth in order to wipe your baby’s gums after feedings. Do put babies to bed with a bottle filled with milk. When it is time to introduce solids, opt for healthy foods in order to minimize the risk of tooth decay.
Meanwhile, for children under age 3, as soon as a tooth is already visible in your baby’s mouth, you can begin to brush. It is also recommended that you use a smear of toothpaste with fluoride twice a day.
For those children aging 3 to 6 years old, try to use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. While you can let them practice with the brush, you have to supervise them and get your turn too.
After teaching your kid on how to brush their teeth, try to find a comfortable area where you can sit and read with your child. By spending a little bit of time, like 15 minutes a day, reading aloud together with your kid will help enhance their language development and social-emotional skills. Moreover, you can also make up your own stories, use silly voices, sing songs, and simply enjoy such special bonding time with your child.
