Parenting Tips for Your 43-44 Month Old Child
Did you know that 3 ½ year olds have about twenty teeth? Since your child now has teeth that bump against each other, food can build up between them. Now is the time to teach your child how to brush his own teeth.
Have your child use a small-headed toothbrush in an up-and-down motion covering the entire tooth. Cleaning the back of your child’s teeth may be trickier, but it is just as important. Of course, ideally, we would all brush our teeth after every meal, but twice a day is the best you probably can talk your child into. Have him brush after breakfast and after the last meal in the evening so that your child’s teeth are clean overnight. Choose toothpaste that includes fluoride to reduce decay, but use only a little toothpaste so he will not swallow too much fluoride.
Try to get your child excited about brushing and caring for his teeth. This will make the process much easier for both of you. Read books with your child about teeth:
- Just Going to the Dentist by Mercer Mayer
- Arthur’s Tooth by Marc Brown
- Little Rabbit’s Loose Tooth by Lucy Bates
- The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan & Jan Berenstain
If your child resists brushing, here are a few tips that may make the time easier:
- Use a battery-powered toothbrush to make brushing easier.
- Sing his favorite song or nursery rhyme while he brushes.
