Dentist Advice on Teaching Children to Brush Their Teeth

For a dentist, giving advice is easy. Each day, people file into the office for exams. After a cleaning or a checkup they end up asking what they need to do differently in order to prevent cavities, decay or other problems. So when you don't know who to turn to about your kids' brushing habits, make an appointment and talk to the expert in oral health.

Your Attitude is Key

A dentist will remind you that much like other things you try to teach your kids, your attitude is going to determine how things go. If you look at teeth brushing as a drag and something that you just want them to get through, they are more than likely to take on the same ideas. If you present it as an adventure and let them know just how important it really is, they will take it on and see it as part of their responsibility. 

Do you avoid going in to see the dentist? Your kids will pick up on that and begin to have their own fear of going in for an appointment. Make sure that when you talk about worries and concerns about these specific visits the kids aren't within ear shot. Your goal should be to give them the best experience possible and help them always keep on top of their overall oral health.

Make it Fun

When kids are younger they just want to play and have fun. If you want teeth brushing to fit into their lives you need to make it fun. Think about fun stories you can tell them about brushing. Help them pretend to be someone or something important when it comes to keeping their teeth clean. Whatever it takes, make sure that you keep their interest and they see brushing as something they look forward to doing each and every day and night.

Make Sure They are Doing it Correctly

When children are younger, they don't always have the right motor skills to brush their teeth the right way. In fact any dentist will tell you that usually kids need to be about 5-6 years old before they can really brush alone. Up until that point, parent involvement is key. If you want them to have some independence, allow them to brush before or after you have helped out. That way, they still feel like they are brushing their own teeth.

You can always demonstrate by brushing your own teeth and allowing them to get a close up look at how it works. When you brush their teeth, you can demonstrate the correct techniques and even ask them about all of the places the toothbrush is able to reach. Remember, the more interesting this task becomes, the better!