The dental health habits can be inculcated for lifelong by the preschools and the daycare centers. They focus on the teaching appropriate dental hygiene by providing various types of lesson plans and activities.



Though the healthy health habits are taught at home, it is the duty of the preschool and the daycare centers also to reinforce these health habits.



The preschool teachers and the daycare providers can help in maintaining excellent dental health in the toddlers by encouraging them to practice brushing their teeth when in their care and also by teaching them in play-way methods with the help of various lesson plans and activities that are focusing on the dental health.

Till the age of 2-3 years, the toddlers’ teeth should be brushed twice a day only with toothbrush having soft bristles and water. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has set certain guidelines that states that when the child is of 2-3 years, he should be introduced to Fluoridated toothpaste. Also, each child should visit a dentist by the time he is a year old.

A toddler’s teeth should be brushed by using small and soft-bristled toothbrush only and a very little toothpaste that is smaller than or equal to the size of a pea. The toddler should be supervised when he is brushing his teeth so as to ensure that he spits out the toothpaste instead of swallowing it in. buy non- fluoridated toothpaste, if your toddler has not learnt to spit out the excess of toothpaste.

How to get a Reluctant Toddler to Brush

It is very normal for the toddlers to resist the brushing of their teeth. Many a times it is a struggle to brush a toddler’s teeth especially when it involves to get them to practice brushing of his teeth on his own or assist him in his attempts. To encourage the toddlers to brush, you can use the following tips:

• There are many varieties of toothbrushes available in the market. You can choose a toothbrush having your toddler’s favorite color or cartoon characters. You can also buy electric toothbrushes. Moreover these toothbrushes are more effective than the other standard toothbrushes and your toddler would really love them.

• You can always a sing a song when your toddler is brushing his teeth or set a funny timer for atleast two minutes so that your toddler learns to brush his teeth for that length of time.

• Always give a simple reward to your toddler as an incentive. A colorful sticker is one of the many options available for you.

• Try to be a good model for your toddler. Remember, that they learn more by watching than by just preaching. If you and the daycare handler brush and floss your teeth after every meals and snacks, then you are able to set a good role model for the toddlers.