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Just as you guide your patients on their self-care journey, so do they guide their children.
Parents are the primary shapers of their children’s oral care. These eight tips from dental experts will help you help your patients be an inspiration for their children on their toothbrushing journey.
For parents to properly help their children build and maintain healthy oral care habits, they must first understand the importance of proper brushing and regular dental check-ups, even at an early age.
“The greatest misunderstanding among parents is that small children can brush their teeth themselves, but until about age 10, children do not have the required fine motor skills. Another issue is that many parents bring their fears into the dental practice. The old-fashioned school dentist of yesteryear has instilled fear in many of today’s parents. If mothers or fathers are afraid, they will pass their fear on to their children.
We always communicate and coach parents so that they know that regular check-ups are necessary and instruct them on what good dental care entails,” explains dental hygienist Stefanie Verdaasdonk.
Visual evidence is the best way of convincing parents of the importance of brushing from childhood. “Real photos of the different dental conditions we show parents are very helpful. If a parent sees what early decay on front teeth looks like from the palatal side (the part of the tooth that they can’t see at home because they don’t have a mirror), there is no need to explain at length why they should brush the child’s teeth from all sides,” explains dentist Adam Mikuš.
Getting parents invested is the most important thing dental professionals can do for children’s future dental health. “Coaching parents is important because lifestyle is everything: most of what happens at home – diet, behaviour or brushing – directly influences the children’s oral health. We prefer to give homework after each appointment that parents and children can work on together.
From there, we go forward. Parents join us in the treatment room and learn how to do everything. We use a plaque colour test to show where brushing should be improved. We also show parents the best brushing techniques so that they can brush their children’s teeth or instruct them as well as possible. It is all about learning by doing,” adds Stefanie Verdaasdonk.
A great way to show children where brushing may be lacking and introduce a fun element is with plaque-disclosing tablets. They are simple to use, even for people who aren’t dental professionals, and reveal any plaque that can still be present on teeth even after brushing.
“The plaque detection tablet will help parents and children illustrate where any residue remains. At the same time, it’s tremendous fun for the children. However, since this activity increases the amount of saliva, I recommend doing this activity in the bathroom,” says dentist Jana Ohlasová.
Brushing should not be a horrifying experience during which children cry and parents shout. It should be a lovely daily ritual of self-care for the whole family. To ensure that it remains a positive experience, introduce it into the daily schedule according to the mood and needs of children.
“Teeth need to be brushed on all sides once a day; before bedtime is ideal, but if the daily routine is such that brushing teeth before bedtime is difficult in terms of the child’s cooperation, feel free to postpone brushing to an earlier time,” adds Dr Mikuš.
Children are often sent to bed before their parents, so they might never witness them brushing their teeth. This might lead to misunderstandings or distaste for brushing if the children feel it is only something they must do.
To prevent this, it is best if parents join their children in brushing and make it a whole family experience. “A cooperating older sibling also helps a lot; they are a great role model for the younger ones,” adds Jana Ohlasová.
Brushing together is an excellent way to brush teeth, and the pleasant time spent together creates a positive association for the children. “What has become popular in our family is a hug while brushing. The children sit on my legs, their back against my left hand, head bowed, and I brush their teeth with my right hand. We still brush our teeth in this position with our 10-year-old children. It is an enjoyable evening moment together,” explains dentist Soňa Lisá.
While we typically associate toothbrushing with the bathroom, it is not necessary to do it there every time. The best way to ensure the children’s cooperation is to let them choose where to brush.
Whether it is in the kitchen, walking up and down the house, or sitting on the sofa, it doesn’t matter as long as it is a pleasant experience for the child and if thorough toothbrushing takes place. “Watching fairy tales while cleaning also works well on children,” adds Dr Lisá.
Children might not understand the scientific reasons for removing plaque or cleaning interdental spaces, but they know stories. Stories and fairy tales are a great way of making children truly invested in toothbrushing.
“Children love stories. While we brush their teeth, we tell them a story about the Tootheater, who scales their teeth looking for food scraps, eats them, and then turns them into tooth-dissolving acid,” offers inspiration Dr Ohlasová.
Toothbrushing is much more fun for children if they can do it with a toothbrush they like. Letting them pick their toothbrush makes them feel more in control and involved. “There are many interesting toothbrushes that can attract and motivate the child,” says Soňa Lisá.
Even with all these tips and different approaches, toothbrushing with children will not always go smoothly. “There are situations and periods when it only goes forcefully. That’s when parents have to determine what needs to be done and why. We have gone through such a phase at home, too. The important thing is to remember that toothbrushing is a time parents can spend with their children and that it is the basis for a healthy life for their children, saving stress and finances,” concludes Jana Ohlasová.
