Introducing toothbrushing to your child when their first tooth appears (approximately six months old) can help establish good oral hygiene habits in their early years—explaining why and teaching your child how to brush their teeth sets them up for creating a sparkling smile and instills crucial habits for their overall well-being.
In this blog, we’ll give you fundamental tips on educating your child on brushing their teeth.
Help Kids Know What to Expect:
Anxiety comes from not knowing what to expect. Reading books, watching videos about toothbrushing, morning and bedtime routines, and visiting the dentist can help prepare your child. Talk about how the brush “tickles” your teeth and discuss the flavor of the delicious new toothpaste you got!
Sitting with your child and explaining the importance of toothbrushing and their general oral health is essential for them to understand why they need to brush their teeth and helps them to keep this habit.
Make Sure Your Kids See You Brush:
Modeled behavior is what sticks with kids most. If you watched your parents take care of their teeth and visit the dentist regularly, you probably value your oral health, too!
Brush each other’s teeth:
Letting your child brush YOUR teeth is a great way to get them excited about brushing. Try it simultaneously–brush your child’s teeth at the same time he/she brushes yours and mirror each other’s actions. Distraction can go a long way…
Make Brushing Fun And Engaging:
Turn toothbrushing into an enjoyable activity by allowing your child to choose their own colourful toothbrush and favourite-flavoured toothpaste. By doing so, your child can help them feel excited about toothbrushing rather than a chore. Consider playing a fun song or using a timer for 2-3 minutes to make brushing time feel like a game and help them understand how long they need to brush for. Use a flashlight and “check for plaque bugs” to ensure you get them all when brushing! Your child will likely want to help. Encourage your child to brush his/her bear’s teeth, making sure to “get every tooth!” Be sure to talk to children about not putting the play brush in their mouths. We don’t share toothbrushes because we don’t want to share germs!
Teach The Correct Technique:
Ensure they are using the right amount of toothpaste. For 0–3-year-olds, it should be a rice-sized amount, and for 3+ year-olds, a pea-sized amount. The toothbrush should be angled at 45 degrees, and the child should move the toothbrush gently in a circular motion. Make sure both the front and back teeth and the tongue are brushed to remove bacteria. Using a mirror can help your child view and improve their technique.
Establish A Consistent Toothbrushing Routine:
Consistency is key when forming habits, and incorporating brushing with consistent timings into their daily routine can make it easier for your child to make brushing a habit and prioritise their oral health.
Positive Reinforcement:
Praising or rewarding your child for brushing their teeth independently, as well as celebrating milestones such as new teeth or visiting the dentist, can help them create this habit in a positive way. By making toothbrushing a positive and exciting experience through creativity and positive reinforcement, you can ensure your child develops the skills necessary to maintain a healthy and radiant smile!
Use your dental team as reinforcement:
Sometimes parents need backup. So you say, “Remember what the dentist said–we’ve been missing this spot back here and we need to brush it really well so you don’t get a cavity!” Be careful not to scare your child or use visiting the dentist as punishment. Keeping things positive will help everyone involved!
We hope you found this blog useful and that it develops a positive relationship between your child and brushing. Feel free to contact us if you want to book your child for a dental checkup.
