How to Teach Kids to Brush Their Teeth
Start early., Practice what you preach., Visit the dentist., Make it a part of the daily routine.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Start early.
Start cleaning your child’s gums even before he or she has any teeth.
It will help keep his/her mouth and gums healthy and it sets a pattern of oral care for both of you.
Use a damp, soft cloth or gauze pad, or buy an infant gum brush/massager, and gently wipe the gumline.Begin brushing as soon as a tooth appears.
Use a soft brush; many experts advise using a rice grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, but you can at least start by just wetting the brush. -
Step 2: Practice what you preach.
You will have many other opportunities to use the “Do as I say, not as I do” method of parenting.
Practice good oral health care yourself and let your child know this is important for everyone.
Brush your teeth with your child.
Let your child feel like he or she is helping to keep you on the right track as well. , It is recommended that a child visit the dentist by age one or within six months of the first tooth appearance, whichever comes first.Bring your child to one of your appointments, or that of an older sibling, cousin, or friend.
Ask the dentist to let your child observe what happens at a dental checkup.
Your child may be more receptive to hearing why healthy teeth are so important from the person in the white coat with all the fancy tooth gadgets.
Find books or videos about visiting the dentist.
Help them be more familiar and less frightened. , Have your child brush his/her teeth at the same times each day.
Attach it to other normal tasks
-- for instance, brushing right before pajamas come off in the morning and as soon as they go on in the evening.
Make it seem very ordinary (yet important). -
Step 3: Visit the dentist.
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Step 4: Make it a part of the daily routine.
Detailed Guide
Start cleaning your child’s gums even before he or she has any teeth.
It will help keep his/her mouth and gums healthy and it sets a pattern of oral care for both of you.
Use a damp, soft cloth or gauze pad, or buy an infant gum brush/massager, and gently wipe the gumline.Begin brushing as soon as a tooth appears.
Use a soft brush; many experts advise using a rice grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, but you can at least start by just wetting the brush.
You will have many other opportunities to use the “Do as I say, not as I do” method of parenting.
Practice good oral health care yourself and let your child know this is important for everyone.
Brush your teeth with your child.
Let your child feel like he or she is helping to keep you on the right track as well. , It is recommended that a child visit the dentist by age one or within six months of the first tooth appearance, whichever comes first.Bring your child to one of your appointments, or that of an older sibling, cousin, or friend.
Ask the dentist to let your child observe what happens at a dental checkup.
Your child may be more receptive to hearing why healthy teeth are so important from the person in the white coat with all the fancy tooth gadgets.
Find books or videos about visiting the dentist.
Help them be more familiar and less frightened. , Have your child brush his/her teeth at the same times each day.
Attach it to other normal tasks
-- for instance, brushing right before pajamas come off in the morning and as soon as they go on in the evening.
Make it seem very ordinary (yet important).
About the Author
Richard Harvey
Specializes in breaking down complex cooking topics into simple steps.
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