Bonding Before Bedtime Through Finishing Brushing

Please continue finishing brushing for your child until they are about 10 years old.

I was taken aback by the dentist's words during the infant dental checkup I attended with my child.

If possible, until they are 12. At least until their permanent teeth have finished coming in.

It was shocking.

From the time I was old enough to remember, I had been brushing my own teeth. Of course, I'm sure my parents did finishing brushing for me when I was too young to remember.

However, once I was able to brush on my own, however imperfectly, the habit of finishing brushing disappeared.

That's why I never imagined that parents would do finishing brushing until a child was 10. Just imagining it from a child's perspective, it felt a bit embarrassing.

Being generally serious, I followed the dentist's advice and still continue finishing brushing for my children. My oldest is currently 9. Because they have issues with tooth alignment and bite and are undergoing orthodontic treatment, finishing brushing is essential.

My child used to rest their small head on my lap and open their mouth desperately. Now, the head resting on my lap is heavy. Where once only small, pebbly baby teeth grew, now, except for the molars, the baby teeth have fallen out and sturdy teeth have grown in. Each time I feel the passage of time and feel a bit sad, but seeing them still resting their head on their mother's lap and opening their mouth even though they have grown so much is cute and endearing.

As a parent, finishing brushing is a hassle, but I actually feel that this is a very good habit.

First and foremost, I feel the effectiveness in preventing cavities. As I mentioned earlier, I was brushing my own teeth by the time I could remember, but I started going to the dentist around age 3. I had small cavities many times, and I even remember having a cavity so bad that I cried and screamed from the pain. I thought I was brushing as hard as I could, but perhaps there is a limit to what a child can do on their own.

However, so far, my children (9 and 6 years old) have managed to avoid getting any cavities.

And above all, I want to highlight the aspect of physical affection. Before going to bed at night, our house is usually a scene of parent-child conflict. A battle unfolds between me, wanting them to go to sleep early, and the children, who still want to watch videos.

When I take away the tablet saying, 'That's enough,' the children might cry and throw a tantrum, but brushing teeth always awaits before bedtime.

Even while we are both frustrated or crying, by having them reluctantly rest their head on my lap for finishing brushing, physical contact is inevitably achieved.

And even if we don't quite make up, we don't end the day with hard feelings; we somehow touch, have the necessary conversations, and get a fresh start.

I don't know how long this will last; the day finishing brushing ends may not be so far off. Until then, I want to savor and enjoy that time.

For the sake of precious teeth and time spent together.