Teeth-Brushing Tips!

Just in time for the Halloween sweets frenzy, I received the following from the Love and Logic email list and thought I'd pass it on in case anyone out there finds it challenging to get their children to brush their teeth properly! It is a just a few ideas- hopefully one of them will work for you or spark your creativity in thinking of another loving and logical solution!

Have you ever been amazed at how tightly children can clench their teeth together when you try to "help" them brush their teeth? I have! And, yes, I admit it, I've tried to brush a strong-willed child's teeth, for them. Fortunately, I came to my senses before I lost a finger.

While we can't make spirited children take care of their teeth, we can apply the three E's of Love and Logic.

The first "E" stands for example. The next time your child needs to brush, experiment with saying, "Well, I'm going to go brush my teeth! I like the way they feel nice and clean after I brush, and how nice my breath smells." or "I like to take good care of my teeth so that I can have treats now and then."

The second "E" stands for empathy. When we can be sad, rather than angry or sarcastic, our kids are forced to realize that their poor decisions decrease the quality of their lives.
A very creative mother said this to her 13-year-old daughter, "Honey, I'm no longer going to nag you about brushing. When I see that you aren't, I'll deposit your allowance into a special bank account I've named 'dentures for my daughter.'"

The third "E" stands for experience. Many children need to experience some logical consequences associated with failing to take care of their mouths. Just the other day I drove through McDonald’s and ordered a child-size chocolate shake for myself. Three-year-old Cody sat in the backseat whining about the fact that I didn't get one for him. I felt horrible, but I knew that this little learning experience was far more affordable than having a mouth full of cavities as he grew older.

Dr. Charles Fay, Love and Logic

One other idea on the teeth-brushing subject- I heard on the radio the other day a parent who has instituted a "candy tax" on his children. The idea is that they are allowed to spend their allowance on candy or treats, but when they do, they have to pay their parents a 100% "candy tax" to make up for the health and dental issues they expect in the future! I thought it was pretty clever, and it fits right in with some of the Love and Logic strategies. The parent on the radio said the tax was working well- his children rarely choose to spend their allowance on candy, but do still get treats from their grandmother here and there. :)