Dental hygiene is important no matter how old you are. The thing is, the earlier you start, the bigger headstart you’ll give your children. You only get two sets of teeth, so it’s important to teach your children how to look after them properly. The foundation of dental hygiene is brushing your teeth and it’s up to you to teach your children how to do it.
In this guide, you’ll find all the tips and tricks that you need to teach your children how to clean their teeth.
Why kids need to brush their teeth
Kids need to brush their teeth for the same reason that you do. It’s as simple as that. The thing is, you can do it for them forever, so you need to teach partly so they can take care of themselves, and partly to free up 2 more minutes of your evening.
When should children start cleaning their own teeth?
The general rule of thumb is that children should start cleaning their teeth themselves when they can tie their own shoes. That being said, it’s essential that you can trust them to do so. So make sure that you feel confident that your children are consistently brushing their teeth properly.
How to teach your children to brush their teeth properly
Here are some simple tips for teaching your little ones how to brush their teeth properly:
Show them
This seems obvious, but it’s worth repeating. What you show your children is likely what will stick with them most in terms of brushing technique. So before you go teaching them, make sure that your technique is up to scratch. Speak to your dentist, watch videos online, and take in as much information as you can. Then show your children regularly and ensure that you brush up (pun intended) on their technique regularly.
Make it simple
If you can make teeth cleaning simple, it will be easier for your children to pick up. For example, explain that they should spend ten seconds on each section of their mouth. Split each of their teeth into thirds, then tell them to spend 10 seconds cleaning the front, then another on the top, and then another 10 seconds on the back of their teeth. Doing so ensures that at least they’re cleaning most of their mouth for a decent amount of time.
Take them to the dentist regularly
No matter how your child feels about the dentist, they are your friend. Taking your children to the dentist regularly will help you to maintain their hygiene and get plenty of advice and tips to protect their teeth and gums.
Get outside help
Did you know that outside of your dentist, there are plenty of kid-friendly resources out there to help teach them about proper dental hygiene? For example, there are some great free cartoons for babies, toddlers, and younger children that will teach them everything they need to know in ways that will be open to and learn from.
Letting them watch these cartoons or play these games is a great way to cross two boxes at the same time; they get to watch their favourite cartoons and you are still teaching them important life lessons. Everyone’s a winner!
Observe them
To make sure that your children are doing things correctly and consistently, keep an eye on their brushing habits. You may not need to watch them every day, but make an effort to ensure that they are doing it properly. A handy way to do this is to brush your teeth as a family - this way you can ensure no one takes any shortcuts.
Make it fun
If kids enjoy something, they’re more likely to keep doing it. No one really enjoys cleaning their teeth, but you can add some novelty to make it more appealing. Fun kids toothbrushes are a great place to start. You can also try playing music so they can dance as they brush. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
Have rewards in place
Sometimes a little incentive can help to establish healthy habits. A simple way to do this is to have a tooth cleaning chart or tracker with a goal at the end. For example, if your children clean their teeth for 2 full minutes every day for seven days, they get a reward. Try not to make this a reward with sugar as you don’t want to undo all of their hard work.
Make it part of their routine
Finally, make cleaning teeth a part of their daily routine. This will help your children to get into the habit of doing so morning and night. Time is key. So decide a time of day and keep to it as best you can. This way, when you say “what time is it?” your children will know what it means.
Conclusion
Cleaning your teeth is a simple habit that will make a big difference in your child’s future health. Follow these tips, start early, and you’ll be on the right track!
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