As parents, teaching your child to take care of their oral hygiene is an essential part of growing up. But it's not always easy! This blog post provides five easy tips that will help you to instruct your child on how to brush their teeth efficiently and effectively.
1. Start Early
The earlier you introduce your child to brushing their teeth, the better. Even before baby teeth erupt, use a moist cloth or gauze pad to wipe the gums, as this establishes good habits from the outset. When baby teeth begin appearing, begin brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste. As they get older, increase the amount of toothpaste as long as they are able to spit it out properly.
2. Make It Fun
Letting your child pick out their own toothbrush is a great way to make brushing exciting. There are plenty of kid-friendly options available in stores and online, from character-themed brushes featuring their favourite cartoon characters to electric spin brushes that make brushing more fun. You can also buy flavoured toothpaste for children if you think it will help encourage them to brush regularly.
3. Lead By Example
Kids learn best through imitation, so showing them proper brushing techniques can often help set them on the right track for life. Brush alongside your child and talk about what you're doing throughout the process. Doing so will give them an idea of how much time should be spent on each section as well as what kind of motion should be used while brushing.
4. Use Rewards Or Charts
Try setting up an incentive system in which your kids receive rewards like stickers after successful brushing sessions. This helps make the act more enjoyable for kids who may not naturally find it fun. Or, consider setting up a chart that tracks how many days in a row they brushed successfully; when they reach certain milestones, reward them with something special like extra screen time or staying up late one night.
5. Visit The Dentist Regularly
Finally, make sure that you take your child on regular trips to the dentist so that any potential problems can be caught early on and addressed accordingly.
Conclusion
Brushing teeth can seem daunting at first, but with these five tips in hand, you'll have everything you need to successfully teach your kids how to clean their pearly whites properly. Contact a children's dentist today to find out more.
Share22 February 2023
As a retired dentist, I work with charities which visit developing countries and educate children about dental care. It gives me great satisfaction to revisit these communities and see how proud the children are of their efforts. I am acutely aware that good dental hygiene can help prevent a range of serious conditions when these children become older. I started this blog because it greatly distresses me that many people in Australia do not seem to care for their teeth as much as children in these poor communities. This is happening despite ready access to items like toothbrushes and toothpaste which are luxuries in the places I visit. It is my hope that this blog encourages you not to take dental health for granted. My greatest wish is that you can be as inspired as the children I see in my charity work. Please read on and enjoy.
