How to Teach Children to Brush Their Teeth?

If you have a 2-3–year old child, it is high time to start teaching kids to brush teeth. Instilling basic oral hygiene methods and habits should start in toddlerhood. Preschoolers don’t have the needed fine motor skills to master the process of teeth brushing. That is why it’s important to supervise and explain every detail until the kid reaches 6-8 years.

Ways of Teaching Kids to Brush Teeth

But how to get kids to brush teeth? Well, here are some tips that you might want to consider:

Choose the Right Toothbrush and Toothpaste

You must select a child-sized and soft-bristled toothbrush with a handle that is designed to fit the small hand comfortably. Also, use a pea of fluoride or remineralizing toothpaste made for kids aged 2 and above. Make sure that they rinse and spit after brushing in order to avoid swallowing fluoride.

You Do It First

First, you should try it first, and have him/her repeat what you’ve just done. Children watch and imitate adults, that’s why it could help them a lot when mastering a new skill. 

Get Ready 

Ask a toddler to sit on your lap, facing away from you, then support his/her head with your arm, or rest the head in your lap. If a child is a bit older, you can stand behind as he/she brushes his teeth. 

Let Them Do It!

Now, it’s time to brush their teeth on their own. While performing the steps, you can explain what you are doing and why, and what will be the next. Here’s how to brush your teeth for kids step by step:

1. Let them brush the inside surfaces of teeth with a 45-degree angle of the bristles toward its gum line. Teach them to brush one or two teeth at a time using a circular and gentle motion. 
2. After that, help clean the outside. Make sure to angle the bristles to the gum line and brush each tooth with a gentle, short, and circular motion. 
3. Finally, it’s the chewing surface turn. Explain why they need to brush the tongue and show the best way to do this. 

Involve the Whole Family

Make tooth brushing a family habit, as this is another great way to build good oral care for everyone. You can arrange such sessions at least twice a day, like before going to bed, for about two to three minutes.

Set a Timer When Teaching Kids to Brush Teeth

How long should kids brush their teeth? Well, you can also set a timer if you lose track of time. Consider an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer, or you can listen to a brush your teeth song for kids, which usually lasts 2-minutes. 

Schedule A Dental Checkup

And finally, schedule a dental checkup to ensure that the child is learning the correct oral hygiene habits. Visit a dentist or even hygienist for a professional lesson regarding teeth and the right way to care for them. 

These are just some of the tips that you should consider when teaching kids to brush teeth properly. 

The Importance of Brushing Teeth

Brushing the teeth could help in preventing tooth decay, which could lead to dental cavities or holes. This is known as a condition that leads to tooth loss. Also, this useful habit can help in preventing bad breath that might possibly discourage everyone from developing deeper interrelationships with you. Plus, you must brush the teeth to avoid gum disease. Kids who don’t brush their teeth for almost several days could suffer from this condition. 

So, teaching kids to brush teeth once they reach a certain age is definitely important!

Any thoughts about this topic? Feel free to share your opinion by leaving your comments below!

Author’s Bio

Rachel Burns is an experienced copywriter and photographer with a design diploma. She works with startups, entrepreneurs, bloggers, and companies from around the world. In addition to writing articles and promotional materials, she enjoys hiking, reading, cooking and spending time with her family.