Healthy Teeth

          We just did our first visit to the dentist and what an experience it was! Teaching our little ones dental hygiene is extremely important – especially at a young age. We want to make sure we keep our teeth healthy and clean to do many Mitzvos and to greet everyone with a nice smile. Before scheduling my daughter’s first appointment, we read together “I Go To The Dentist” by Rikki Benenfeld. It was a wonderful book!  My daughter knew what to expect on her first visit and was actually looking forward!

         As we arrived to the dentist, my daughter felt very welcomed with all the variety of toys and books the dentist had at the waiting room. She didn't seem to mind at all if there was a looong wait… Or if she had to wait there all day long! When her turn came up, the dental hygienist handed her an adorable pink Cinderella toothbrush and a child toothpaste. My daughter was so excited she didn't want to let go of it until we got back home. 

        The dentist was very friendly and explained to my daughter the importance of brushing teeth. As for me, he gave me some essential tips to ensure tooth brushing becomes a routine. Here they are, these tips work great for us and I’m sure it would work for you too!

Modeling:

I find that the best time to reinforce tooth brushing and learning the appropriate way to do it, is during bath time. There is one specific doll we keep under the bathroom sink for bath time. I showed my daughter how to brush her teeth. She looooves the taste of the tooth paste. I believe that she ends up swallowing half of it during the process. Then she talks turns brushing the doll’s “teeth.” We are still trying to spend some more time brushing our own teeth (and less on the doll).

Positive Reinforcement:

 It is EXTREMELY important! We all like to hear nice words, so do the little ones. I alternate between the two types of Positive Reinforcement: directly and indirectly. 

Directly (speaking to the child):

“Great brushing!”

“Keep the good work!”

“I like the way you brush your teeth!”

Indirectly (speaking to a third person in the child's presence):

“You have no idea how well [name] brushes her/his teeth!”

“I didn't even have to remind [name] to brush her/his teeth!”

“I love the way [name] keeps her/his teeth so clean!”

              

Reward System: 

I personally like sticker charts (and so does everyone else). They are so easy to make and to follow. You can find one in the Healthy Teeth Activity Book. We keep the stickers right near the chart so we have a quick access to them. We get a sticker in the morning and one at night right before heading to bed.   

          We then completed together the Healthy Teeth Activity Book. It includes a sensory activity, fine motor activity, rote counting, number recognition, a reward system and much much more! The Healthy Teeth Activity Book is coming very soon!! Please stay tuned!!

         Now, after Purim, is a great time to work on dental hygiene. We all have gotten so much nosh from Mishloach Manos, that we probably have no idea what to do with it… Well one thing for sure, let’s keep it away from the little ones :)