Health

How Can Parents Teach Children The Proper Way To Brush Their Teeth?

How can parents teach children the proper way to brush their teeth?

The following tips will be helpful when teaching your child how to brush their teeth:

  • Make sure the toothpaste is non-toxic and age appropriate.
  • Give your child a mirror or use a mirror so they can see what they are doing while brushing.
  • Brush in small circular motions with short back-and-forth strokes on chewing surfaces of the molars, not too hard or too gentle for kids.
  • Allow your child to see other adults brushing their teeth and teach them to mimic what they see.
  • Encourage your child to brush regularly for a good oral hygiene habit.
  • Post daily reminders in their homes. Better still, create a calendar in which they can write or draw pictures of the things that should be done for each day of the week, such as brushing, flossing, visiting a dentist Brampton , etc.
  • Set a good example by brushing your teeth in their presence to get them used to the activity and make it look enjoyable.
  • Children should brush their teeth no less than twice a day, ideally in the morning and before going to bed, for about 2 minutes each.  
  • You can also help them by timing them while brushing their teeth.
  • Ensure that they have the right toothbrush. A good size toothbrush is one that fits in their hand comfortably and is not too large or too small.
  • You can get them to play a song while brushing so they can dance to it while brushing their teeth.
  • You can also get them a cool toothbrush for kids with pictures on it or one that has fun characters on it to make brushing their teeth more appealing and enjoyable for them.
  • Make sure that they are brushing their teeth 2-3 times a day. If they don’t brush enough, you will see plaque buildup in their mouths, and it will prevent them from having healthy teeth.
  • Teach them to have good manners when eating, not to swallow food too quickly, chew thoroughly and drink water. They should also brush their teeth after every meal.
  • Make sure that the toothpaste you give them is not too minty. This won’t be good for their teeth, and it will make it less appealing for them to want to brush their teeth.
  • Encourage your children to floss their teeth after brushing their teeth so they can make sure that all food particles are removed from between their teeth.
  • Avoid using a toothbrush with frayed or worn bristles as this may cause damage to your child’s gums.
  • Make sure that they are not brushing too hard or too gently, but at an appropriate level.
  • Get them to use a toothbrush with a small head so that they can go easily between their teeth and reach all areas of the mouth.
  • If you want to make brushing fun, get them a toothbrush for a favorite character or one that has their favorite television show or movie hero on it so they can enjoy brushing their teeth more.
  • You can also get them a toothbrush with the characters on it.
  • If you are using fluoride toothpaste, keep it away from children under 3 years old as it may have too high of a fluoride content for their development.  
  • If the child is brushing harder than they should be, use a softer toothbrush and add more water so they will see that the bristles will be softer and gentler.  
  • If you are using toothpaste with fluoride, ensure that they do not swallow the paste as it may be harmful for them.  
  • You can mix flour and water to make a paste that will make it easier for your child to brush their teeth when they are young. This will also strengthen the teeth, clean them well and prevent cavities from occurring.
  • You can also use barley grit or flaxseed meal mixed with water to clean your child’s teeth.
  • If you are looking for special toothpaste for kids, you can use a non-toxic one and make sure it is non-fluoride.  
  • Ensure that your child has a toothbrush holder where they can store their toothbrush so that it will stay clean and dry.  
  • If possible, get them an electric toothbrush as it can help to remove the plaque easily. It also keeps the teeth cleaner because it cleans better than a manual one and gives more comfort while brushing.