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Brusha Brusha Brusha

I’m going to tell you a little secret, one that not many people know about me. You know how some people freak out at the sound of nails on a chalkboard? Or are deathly afraid of circus clowns? You know what gives me shivers and makes me cover my ears screaming? The sound of someone brushing his teeth. I’m serious. I have to leave the room during toothpaste commercials. My sister used to chase me around the house when we were younger, brush in hand. My own mouth I can handle, but there is just something about that sound coming from other people that makes my skin crawl. So you can imagine how I’ve been dreading the required adult-assisted tooth-brushing that all parents must do.

As you know, I’ve been crazy about the girls’ oral hygiene since before they had teeth. Yes, I was a gum wiper, and while people made fun of me, the pediatric dentists I met praised me. Even if it isn’t absolutely necessary to wipe down an infant’s gums to prevent tooth decay, it does get them used to having someone sticking her fingers in their mouths. Wiping didn’t bother me at all. But now they have teeth and I decided it was time to introduce real brushing at bedtime, because you know I’m a big believer in creating habits before kids realize what’s happening.
So I got the girls little brushes. We’ve already talked fluoride but to remind you, If you live in an area with fluoride in the water, then you should be using fluoride free toothpaste until you kid is old enough to understand spitting instead of swallowing. If not, it’s special supplements or kid’s toothpaste with minimal fluoride added. Anyway, you can imagine what the first night was like: me cringing, Eva screaming and spitting and Zoe opening her mouth and patiently waiting for her two little teeth to be attended to. (That kid is weird).
Fast forward two weeks, and I’m happy to report that my persistence has finally paid off. I’ve discovered that if I loudly sing the toothpaste commercial sung during the slumber party in the movie Grease, it not only makes the girls stop wiggling but it masks the sound of the bristles rubbing against enamel. And while Zoe continues to be a perfect dental patient, Eva only started cooperating a few days ago. Last night she took her brush when I was finished and spent several minutes rubbing her little pink baby toothbrush around her mouth in imitation of me. It was not only very cute, but gave me great hope that soon enough I can just hand them the tools and hide in the closet with my hands over my ears until they are done.  I generally don’t want them to grow up too fast, but on this one, I’ll be thrilled to pass the reins.

Dr. Lara Zibners, Dec 01, 2010

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