Can I Let My Child Pick Their Own Toothbrush And Toothpaste?
Posted on 3/1/2024 by Weo Admin
Parents are always looking for a win, especially when they are the parents of toddlers and young children. One of the major parenting challenges for toddlers is helping them access their individual personalities without battling with them over every choice. As a parent, you have to take a win where you can get one. With a few rules in place, you can let your toddler or young child have choices, and you get a few minutes of peace of mind.
What Should I Look for Before I Let My Child Pick a Toothbrush?
When it comes to the teeth of your child, you want to make sure any toothbrush you help them choose is perfect for young children. Usually, toddler toothbrushes are made with thicker handles so that toddler hands can grip them more easily. You want to make sure that the brush itself is soft. Toddlers have a tendency to overbrush, and brushing young teeth hard robs them of vital tooth enamel.
Once you have selected a range of toothbrushes for your toddler to look at, you can let them have a turn trying to pick out a favorite. There are many child toothbrushes in the shape of favorite characters, such as cartoon animals, dinosaurs, or princesses. You may want to set several of them in front of your toddler and let them choose their favorite.
What About Toothpaste?
Like toothbrushes, there are also several toothpastes you may want to try with your young child. With toddlers, the main concern with toothpaste is that they do not overuse it because of the fluoride they contain. Fluoride helps your teeth stay strong and healthy, but if your toddler uses too much toothpaste, it could cause their teeth to become discolored, roughen, or get bumpy.
Also, many parents do not want to give their children kinds of toothpaste that contain alcohol. If this is a concern for you, know that nearly all child toothpastes are alcohol-free.
If you are not quite sure how to pick out a good brand of toothbrushes and kinds of toothpaste for your toddler, we can help. Reach out to our office today, and let us schedule an appointment for you.