Hair, Teeth and Nail Care

Becoming independent in personal care is an important life skill that can give a young person a sense of pride and achievement. Even becoming independent in parts of the task can help a young person to feel engaged and confident in their developing self.

As children develop, they may take more of an interest in their appearance and often these tasks are harder to complete requiring a higher level of dexterity and concentration.

Some information for this webpage has been drafted using resources from Greater Glasgow and Clyde Children’s Services

Toothbrushing

> Children should have their teeth brushed as soon as they appear and teeth brushing should be established into routine as early as possible.
> It is recommended that teeth are cleaned for 2 minutes.
> As soon as they are able, encourage your child to have a go at brushing their teeth first before you take over.
> Children should be able to brush their teeth independently by approximately the age of 7/8 . If your child has additional needs and is struggling, you should continue to assist.

The following tips may help you to support your child with learning to brush their teeth independently:

> Try using an electric toothbrush as less movement is needed.
> Consider using a soft brush head, rather than medium or hard.
> Try to help your child understand why they need to brush their teeth in the first place – this can be a common issue for children with additional support needs when teeth brushing is just done for them without warning.
> To help prompt your child to clean their teeth, use visual aids to support their understanding of routines. Include a picture of tooth brushing or a tooth brush in your child’s morning and evening visual schedule. You may need to show them, do it with them, use hand over hand etc…
> Multi directional toothbrushes can be helpful if your child can only tolerate having the brush in their mouth for short periods and can reach multiple surfaces of your child’s teeth at the same time, finger toothbrushes are an alternative, they are more gentle.
> If you child misses out some parts of their mouth, encourage them to use a mirror when brushing.
> There are apps available that provide timers, information on how long to brush each part of the mouth – they can be motivating for children.
> Try using a reward system to help encourage your child, avoid rewarding though with sugary snacks.
> If your child cannot tolerate the taste of toothpaste, try an alternative flavour (there are many off the shelf options) or try an unflavoured toothpaste such as OraNurse 0-3 or OraNurse original.

Printer Friendly Version

Nail Cutting

Some children have difficulty tolerating having their nails cut which can make this necessary task upsetting and stressful for parent and child. Here are some suggestions for you to try with your child:

> Provide deep pressure activities before attempting to cut their nails eg. Hand massage or place an inflatable swimming arm band on hand and massage each nail before and after each cut.
> Try different tools, for example, if your child cannot tolerate nail scissors, try using nail clippers or a nail file. You may need to experiment with a few different things before finding what is most comfortable for your child. Some children take a little while to adapt to new sensations, so try to use a new tool 4 or 5 times before trying the next thing. Curved nail scissors, baby nail clippers, nail files (cardboard or glass) are all worth trying. Ensure your tools are sharp so that they cut through the nail on the first attempt.
> Use a visual aid so that they are aware what the process will look like
> Offer fiddle or squeeze toys.
> Encourage them to count down so they know when the process will end.
> Give your child an element of control, such as choosing which nail to cut first.
> Encourage your child to be in a comfortable position e.g. sitting down.

Printer Friendly Version

Sensory Difference Hair Brushing and Hair Cutting

Lots of children find participating in these activities upsetting. Some strategies to try for a child is quite sensitive to touch are:

> Avoiding light touch where possible. Always touch your child gently but firmly, and approach from a direction that they can see you coming. A mirror can be useful as your child can see what is happening.
> Always touch on the child’s terms. Touching yourself is less threatening, so where possible, have your child rub dry their own hair. Touch through an object is the next least threatening way, so use a towel or clothing in between your hand and the child’s skin until they can tolerate this. Then you can move onto skin to skin contact.
> If your child reacts defensively to tactile situations, then prior to hair cutting prepare them verbally and visually for the activity.
> Grade activities from deep touch to light touch.
> Prepare for light touch by providing firm deep pressure prior to this. You can teach your child to use a self-massage or squeezing programme, or you can provide deep pressure by giving a firm rub down with a towel prior to hair cutting.
> Massage their scalp prior to combing/brushing/cutting.
> Child to sit on a chair with their feet supported or sat on your lap with sustained deep pressure.
> Have your child apply deep pressure through their legs or hands whilst they are sitting in the hairdresser’s chair. Encourage your child to sit on their hands whilst they are having their hair cut and see if this works.
> Give definite time limits to the task; for example say ‘we will count down from then and then we will stop cutting’.
> Try earphones/earplugs to block out the noise of clippers/dryer etc
> Air blow away all bits of hair after cutting to avoid irritation on skin.
> Dim the lights and minimise sound if your child is easily overwhelmed.
> Allow your child to fidget with a toy or squeeze a small ball etc whilst they are having their hair cut.
> Try using a reward system to help encourage your child

Printer Friendly Version

“Try using a reward system to help encourage your child”

Hair Brushing

To increase your child’s independence at completing this task:

> Try using a thick or wide handled brush as this will be easier to grip and will place less strain on finger joints.
> If you struggle to reach the back of your hair, consider trying a long handled hair brush or comb, as this will prevent from over reaching.
> Consider using a detangling spray if your hair is thick and known to be difficult to brush/comb.
> Consider a wide toothed comb, as this will cut down the resistance on hair.
> Brush hair in front of a mirror
> Completing body awareness activities e.g. ‘simon says’, obstacle course

Printer Friendly Version

Hair Styling

> Consider letting hair air dry rather than use a hair dryer as this will place less strain on joints.
> Experiment using different hair ties, for example, spiral hairbands, ribbon hair ties, bungee hair ties; these will be easier to manipulate as they feature less elastic than standard hair ties
> Experiment with different hairstyles, for example, styles which are formed lower down on head e.g. placing hair in bunches.
> Ask your child to try leaning their elbows against a surface when attempting to brush their hair as this will provide them with greater stability and allow them to achieve greater strength when brushing their hair.
> If they wish to blow dry their own hair, consider using a hair dryer stand or clamp which will allow you to position your head rather than grasp hair dryer. When they are drying the front of their hair, use the cooler air setting, and the hot air switch when they are trying the back of their hair.

Printer Friendly Version