By Felicia Megginson
It’s All About Technique
Forget the hand sanitizers or those antibacterial soaps for beating germs (you don’t want to kill all germs; some are beneficial and necessary for maintaining a healthy immune system). A good old-fashioned hand washing with plain soap and warm water will do the trick. Hands should be thoroughly lathered, rubbed, and rinsed for at least 15 seconds (one verse of the “Happy Birthday” song is a good measure), then thoroughly dried on a clean, dry towel. Paper towels are your best bet, so install a roll in the bathroom today. Also teach your child to keep his hands out of his mouth and nose. Nail biting and nose picking are not only unsightly, they’re also very unsanitary.
Bright Smiles
Cavities aren’t as common as they used to be, thanks in part to fluoridated water and calcium-rich diets. Another way to safeguard against tooth decay is to encourage daily brushing. Toddlers and small children should have their teeth brushed by parents at least once a day. When kids are older (say 5 or 6), they should be brushing their teeth on their own.
As a final note, be sure to show your child proper brushing techniques, including how to brush his tongue. Halitosis isn’t uncommon in kids, and is usually due to poor brushing habits. The ADA doesn’t recommend the use of mouthwash in kids under age 12, unless prescribed by a dentist.
Smelling Sweat
Kids do not really develop strong body odor until they reach puberty, when hormonal changes cause sweat to become a bit pungent (to say the least). Smelly feet in young children are usually due to musty shoes. Your child should always wear socks with any closed shoes. Without a regular flow of air to keep feet dry, bacteria and fungus can live and grow in the porous, padded insoles. Remember to air shoes out, especially if they’ve gotten wet. And you can invest in removable insoles, which can be washed regularly to help reduce foot odor. Cotton socks are ideal for keeping feet dry and cool. Kids should be encouraged to change their socks daily, especially if they are active.
Foot powder sprinkled into shoes and socks is another means for keeping feet smelling sweet, and a way to avoid athlete’s foot and similar fungi. Additionally, kids should be discouraged from going barefoot outdoors or in a house with pets that spend a great deal of time outside. Slippers are a good option indoors, and flip-flops outdoors.
Body odor in small children usually isn’t coming from them but from their clothes.
Sweat, dirt, dead skin cells, and food become embedded in clothes. The stink comes from bacteria that grow in the soiled clothes. Underclothing can be pretty smelly, especially during summer months, so you should encourage your child to wear clean underwear every day.
Finally, help kids stay dry and comfortable by teaching them to use baking-soda-based powders. A bit sprinkled under the arms and applied to the genital region and bottom will help your child stay cool and dry. It can also protect against chafing and rashes caused by excess moisture. Children who have not reached puberty don’t really need to use deodorants or antiperspirants, but you may want to familiarize kids with these things as they get closer to puberty. Be mindful of powders, deodorants, and other toiletry products that are scented. Children with allergies may be irritated by using these products.
-www.patrents.com
