Teeth are a part of the human body that require daily maintenance. It's not one of those organs like the heart, liver or kidney that quietly go about their business without your having to check on them and give them a good scrub every day. The consequences of not following a daily teeth-cleaning routine are better avoided. Cavities, bad breath and yellowing teeth can be painful, are not hygienic and do not add to your personality. What they do add up to are expensive dentist bills.

But try explaining this to a two-year-old who thinks that brushing his teeth is a big bore; or a child who is more interested in making a meal out of the nice sweet minty toothpaste; or one who chews ruminatively on his toothbrush rather than brushing his teeth with it. Unfortunately, establishing a teeth-brushing routine is imperative and not something that parents can afford to bend the rules about. It is important that parents stick to their guns on this issue. Remember that every time you let your child get away with not brushing his teeth, you are weakening your own authority.
 

Some useful tips

• Build time for brushing teeth into the child's routine in the morning and at night. Make sure you pick a time when your child is not usually tired and cranky.

• Initially you can help your child brush his teeth. You can liven up the session by singing songs like "This is the way we brush our teeth" Once you think he's got the hang of it, you can make it an activity that you do together. 


• You can make the whole procedure a little enticing by buying your child a nice colourful toothbrush and a holder decorated with his favourite cartoon character. Maybe you can even involve him in picking out his toothpaste.

• If your child is being particularly stubborn and buttons his lip, there's no point getting into a hand-to-hand combat situation. Maintain a poker face and back off, then try again later. Your persistence will soon wear him down.

• By the time your child is four or five years old he will understand that his actions have consequences and can lead to rewards. A good way of ensuring that he brushes his teeth is to tell him that if he does, you'll tell him a bedtime story or allow him to go down to play.

• For an older child, a good ploy is to tell him that you'll have no choice but to schedule a dentist appointment on a holiday, as he doesn't seem to be able to look after his teeth himself.

• Whether you use a threat or a promise, show your child that you mean it and follow through.

• If you feel you need to reinforce your authority on this issue, take your child to the dentist to demonstrate his brushing routine. Praise from the dentist along with a few useful pointers will make your child feel proud and more responsible.