Brushing our teeth is something that needs to be done everyday. For adults, this action comes naturally. The moment we get out of bed and before we sleep at night, we will automatically reach for our toothbrush. But for a young kid, this may not be easy to do. There are various reasons why which range from simple tantrums to autism and other special needs issues. So, how to make it easy for kids to brush their teeth and save you all the frustrations of having to force them to do it?
The usual advice given will seem practical and easy to follow. The stickers and reward system is a common one. So is letting your kid choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste. If that is not enough, you will also need to role-play and make the activity fun so that they will cooperate and get the brushing done.
But does it always work? How many times can you treat brushing teeth as a game anyway before it becomes repetitive and a bore? It is certainly not easy for a parent especially one who is working and has a few kids to handle. Therefore, if there is a tool that can reduce some of the difficulties, it should certainly be welcomed.
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Make It Easy For Kids To Brush Their Teeth With A U-Shaped Toothbrush
The usual toothbrush is actually quite difficult for a young child to maneuver because they may not have the same level of motor skills and dexterity as an adult. Hence, to force them to brush their teeth with all the maneuverings that need to be done to get all spots properly cleaned is going to be a tough battle. The U-shaped toothbrush takes away that difficulty. When the activity becomes much simpler to complete, kids will then be more receptive to the idea of doing it on their own.
These U-shaped toothbrushes are usually electric models that can be recharged. They are also designed with the right amplitudes for children’s more delicate teeth compared to an adult’s. Some models will also have a timer to automatically turn off the toothbrush after a set amount of time.
Of course, these kids toothbrushes will have cute and cartoonish characters to attract them in the first place. You can let your kid choose the design that they want so that they will be more willing to try it after buying. Then, check the sizes of the toothbrush heads. The smallest would be suitable for toddlers while the largest can be used by 12 to 14-year-olds.
Does A U-Shaped Toothbrush Work?
I think the main advantage of a U-shaped toothbrush is it helps to stimulate a child’s interest in brushing their teeth. Since it is easier and more fun to use than a traditional toothbrush, a kid is more likely to get the brushing done. This will save you the daily battles and your sanity. Once brushing teeth becomes a routine, then the problem of refusing to do it will become a thing of the past.
The problem though is the U-shaped head may not be a perfect fit for your kid’s mouth. Thus, some spots are bound to get missed. As a result, you may still need to go back to the traditional toothbrush if you want more thorough cleaning.
Nonetheless, the initial goal is how to make it easy for kids to brush their teeth. A U-shaped toothbrush’s value is to help to kickstart this habit. At the very least, there is an option to switch between this gadget and the traditional toothbrush. In this way, the battles can be minimized. Furthermore, it is certainly better if the brushing is done than not at all even if the teeth is not perfectly cleaned.
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