Personal experience of a mother of many children: how to make the morning exercise of four children a fun activity Dossier: Irina Sashina, host of the morning program "Mood" on the TV Center TV channel, mother of four children. Teaching children to brush their teeth is not easy only at first, then it becomes a habit. I know that many people advise to buy toothpaste with bright tastes for kids, but I myself try to choose the most neutral one: without unnecessary flavors. Since we do not give fast food to children, I avoid cola or chewing gum flavors even in toothpaste. It is best to instill good habits in your baby in a playful way. For example, for the first time I put a funny hourglass in the form of a toy in the bathroom, and the children were happy to brush their teeth until the end of the falling grains of sand. Or sometimes she looked into the child's mouth, “found” a crying tooth that had not been cleaned, and suggested how to “help him out”. A personal example also proved to be very effective - I took the children with me to the bathroom, handed each a personal brush, and we all brushed our teeth together. Kids love to repeat after adults. Another maternal life hack: brush your teeth while your baby's favorite music is playing. Find a song that your child likes and always play it during your morning exercise. So the process will definitely become more fun and enjoyable. Bright accessories and a good mood of the mother are a guarantee that children will brush their teeth with pleasure. 5 expert dentist tips for pediatric oral hygiene
Dossier: Alexander Maksimenko, orthopedic dentist, dentist-therapist, general dentist, chief physician of the Ovento dental clinic. Lecturer at the AIST training center at the Academy of Innovative Dentistry.
The age for which they are intended is always indicated on the packaging of toothpastes and brushes - do not ignore this information. Only hypoallergenic toothpaste is suitable for children. A children's toothbrush has a reduced bristle area that matches the size of the child's mouth and covers 2-3 teeth. The bristles should be soft, and the baby brush should be silicone. Check the composition of children's toothpaste. It must be free of abrasive components, fluoride and allergens. These ingredients are too aggressive for the delicate and delicate enamel of milk teeth. Do you want to teach your child to brush their teeth without whims? Lead by example. If the baby sees that the parents start the morning by brushing their teeth, he will soon begin to repeat after you. Serve brushing your teeth in a playful way, do not rush the child and do not scold for mistakes. On the contrary, praise and reward the right action. Foods high in calcium, such as milk and cottage cheese, are good for keeping your baby's teeth strong. For the proper growth and development of the dentition, it is also useful to give the baby solid food: apples, carrots and other fruits and vegetables in an uncut form. Minimize the amount of sugar in your diet. This is especially true for sweet water from a bottle. It becomes the main cause of carious lesions surrounding the teeth, the so-called "bottle caries". For the formation of a correct bite and proportional development of the upper and lower jaws, it is important that the child sleeps on a flat surface without a pillow for up to two years. It is necessary to teach a child to brush his teeth from birth. Life hacks from a child psychologist: everyone is playing!
Dossier: Natalia Tolstaya, practicing psychologist, psychotherapist, author of books on family relations
1 Begin to teach your child to brush his teeth from birth With a cotton pad dipped in a solution of soda, gently wipe the gums, removing carbohydrate residues and plaque from their surface. As soon as your child learns to hold objects in his hands, match him with a soft and bright toothbrush with a comfortable handle. I recommend not using an electric gadget, as it does all the work for the baby. The need to perform small complex manipulations develops motor skills, which is very important at an early age. Instead of an electronic timer, it's better … sing to your little one. The length of the song, as a rule, is the same three minutes recommended by dentists. 2 Don't let the process take its course Check quality, praise, introduce rewards! Attach stars or hearts on the magnetic board for the correct completion of the task, hygiene, perseverance. At the end of the week, give a gift for your success in brushing your teeth. Remember that the child should like the reward, not you, so give him the opportunity to choose the reward himself. A toy, a treat, a trip to the circus, an extra 30 minutes in front of the TV (but only one thing). Be sure to admire the child's success out loud, say that you are proud of his achievements. 3 Make the process of brushing your teeth bright, tasty and fun Go towards the wishes of your baby: let him choose his own toothpaste and brush design. Add creativity to your routine. Change tubes, collect tubes with different designs, compose fairy tales with your baby in the lead role. Stories about inseparable friends - teeth and a magic brush will turn a boring activity into a favorite game. 4 Lead by example Mom and Dad, put things aside and, armed with a magic wand with bristles, show you how to brush your teeth properly. And not just once, but every day. Speak aloud all movements first, explain and show. Joint morning exercise, like exercise, will be much more fun and effective. Shared family rituals unite and make any activity enjoyable, even brushing your teeth. 5 Be patient! Do not yell at the child if he doused himself, splashed the mirror, squeezed the entire contents of the tube between the cat's ears, or swallowed the paste himself. The baby should have only positive associations with the morning and evening ritual of cleanliness. This is facilitated by beautiful accessories: a bright toothbrush holder, a soft towel and a hook for it at a comfortable height. 6 Tell your child why brushing your teeth Explain that this is not just a game, but an important activity, and oral care can prevent dental disease. By the way, a fairy-tale character - the Tooth Fairy - will help to add a game element. Children from a year to ten quickly develop a "friendship" with her. Especially if the "fairy" puts gifts under the pillow not only in exchange for the fallen milk tooth, but also for success in brushing teeth. Photo: Depositphotos.com