My 4-Year-Old Hates Brushing: A Dentist’s Confession

You would think that being a dentist makes bedtime easy. It does not. Every night, when I tell my 4-year-old it is time to brush, the negotiations begin.

The Reality: In my clinic, I am Dr. Ranjita. But at home, I am just “Mom,” and apparently, Mom doesn’t know anything about teeth.

The Secret Weapon: I tried sticker charts. I tried fancy electric toothbrushes. But the only thing that actually worked was… [I bought two toothbrushes. I let her hold one and ‘brush’ my teeth while I brush her. Giving her a job to do stopped the power struggle immediately. She thinks she’s the dentist now!]

Conclusion: If your kid screams when they see a toothbrush, you are not failing. Keep trying. Even dentists struggle with this!