How to Teach Your Children to Brush Their Teeth (2024)

FAQs

How to Teach Your Children to Brush Their Teeth? ›

Many children become ready to brush their own teeth between age 6 and 9. However, it's not strictly about age. Rather, there are certain skills that they need to develop in order to be independent brushers: Dexterity: Little hands sometimes have a hard time wielding a toothbrush as effectively as an adult.

Many children become ready to brush their own teeth between age 6 and 9. However, it's not strictly about age. Rather, there are certain skills that they need to develop in order to be independent brushers: Dexterity: Little hands sometimes have a hard time wielding a toothbrush as effectively as an adult.

Consult your child's pediatric dentist to determine which brushing technique is most appropriate for your child's mouth. Generally, most dentists recommend a circular technique for brushing. This includes brushing only a small group of teeth at a time -- gradually covering the entire mouth.

Absolutely! Laying down position is the easiest way to clean someone else's teeth! Their head cannot move around as much as when you are standing or sitting, and it makes it easier to see inside the mouth as well so you can check for anything odd, such as canker sores or cavities.

Let your child know that brushing their teeth is not optional and that it needs to be done in the morning when they wake up, and before bed. Enough repetition will make this task second nature to them, and they'll be more likely to do it on their own. It's important to be consistent, no matter what.

Toddlers tend to be more opinionated about having their teeth brushed. As they get older, children have more teeth that need to be brushed in more hard-to-reach places, causing them to gag or balk at having a toothbrush reaching into their mouth. Toothbrushing takes longer and can be a struggle.

Make a Game of Brushing Teeth

Set a timer and see if they can continue for the correct amount of time. Brush along with them. Have a contest to see who can create the most bubbles with their brushing. Ask your children to show you how clean their teeth are after getting rid of all the cavity monsters.

U-shaped toothbrushes don't work. This is by far the most common misconception. The truth is, reputable, nylon-bristled 360 toothbrushes have been proven to be 27X more effective at removing plaque in kids than a traditional brush based on a recent study by Salus Research. However, this myth isn't entirely wrong.

What is the 45-degree brushing technique? ›

Place the bristles on the gumline at a 45-degree angle, pointing toward the tooth's chewing surface or crown. This position is the opposite of the Bass and Stillman technique. Gently vibrate the brush for 15 to 20 counts, using short circular strokes or small back and forth motions.

A review of studies showed that, in general, electric toothbrushes do decrease more plaque and gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. After three months of use, plaque was reduced by 21 percent and gingivitis by 11 percent. Oscillating (rotating) toothbrushes seem to work better than just vibrating toothbrushes.

The brushing method recommended to general persons in Korea is the 3-3-3 brushing method campaign, which involves only toothbrushing behavior (the time and frequency); 3-3-3 means brushing one's teeth 3 times per day, within 3 minutes after having a meal, for at least 3 minutes each time.

Encourage your child to choose their own toothbrush from the store. Your child might prefer to have a variety of different tubes and flavours of toothpaste which they can choose to use for day and night. – Independent brushing: Use a visual 2-minute sand timer and practice tooth brushing for two minutes.

Demonstrate how to brush your teeth for kids by brushing your own teeth in front of them using good brushing technique. Again, tell kids what you're doing and why. Keep the demonstration upbeat, positive and fun. Even if brushing your teeth isn't your favorite thing to do, pretend it is.

Children aged 3 to 6 years

Parents or carers should brush the teeth. Use children's fluoride toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm of fluoride (check label) unless a dentist advises family toothpaste containing between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm fluoride. Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

As soon as teeth begin appearing above the gumline, it's recommended that you make sure to brush your child's teeth for 2 minutes at least twice per day. One of those times should be after their last meal and before bed to avoid allowing food or milk to sit in their mouth overnight.

Make It Fun!

Add something into the brushing routine that will engage your toddler. You can have a song that you play to make sure they brush for long enough, or even try to sing together while brushing your teeth for a good laugh!

Brush your child's teeth thoroughly for at least 2 minutes, twice per day. Brush the front, back, and the tops of the teeth using small, circular brush strokes. We recommend brushing once after breakfast, and once before bed.