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Tooth Brushing
No Job for a Kid! By Wes Andrues
There is a dizzying array of novelty toothbrushes on the market, which are often good for at least a temporarily-renewed interest in brushing. Among these are also electric toothbrushes, which can make the job slightly easier, but should not dull the interest in doing a thorough job. A number of studies indicate that, overall, electric toothbrushes are no more effective than their non-powered counterparts in fighting plaque, and nothing can substitute for an effective brushing technique.
Teaching a child this technique is clearly the most challenging aspect of their dental independence. Cleaning the gumline and the surface area of all the teeth should be the ultimate goal. "I always recommend that a parent perform the brushing chore without toothpaste," Dr. Lasser says. "That way they can see what they're brushing and where they should concentrate their efforts. The kids should follow immediately, picking up the toothbrush and using the small amount of toothpaste recommended, so that they get into the habit of brushing their own teeth."
Dave and Joanne Bachansingh, a Florida couple with two toddlers, Jessica and Justin, have turned tooth brushing into a daily process that allows the children to be both supervised and self sufficient. "We march down the long hallway twice a day and up on the stool to reach the sink," says Dave Bachansingh. In order to keep it fun and maintain variety, the couple keeps a broad selection of cartoon character toothpastes and toothbrushes on hand. They challenge their kids with an ambitious goal: to brush each tooth at least three times, up and down. While Jessica, 5, is growing fairly proficient, Justin, 3, still needs to give Mom or Dad a turn after he's done.