Helpful Tips for Teaching Children to Brush Their Teeth

As an adult, you already know how to take good care of your teeth. Your children, on the other hand, probably don’t have quite the same grasp on oral health that you do. It’s your job to teach them, which starts with brushing their teeth when they are very little. Teaching little ones to brush their teeth can be a challenge, but there are some things you can do to make it easier.

Explain the Why

Children are full of questions. While the constant questioning can be a little frustrating for adults at times, it’s a crucial part of learning for young ones. They have a need to understand how the world works and why. Because of this, explaining in simple terms why it’s so important for them to brush their teeth gives them more understanding and empowers them to be able to take care of themselves a little better.

Lead by Example

Have you ever noticed your little one copying you? Take advantage of that tendency and set an example for your child by brushing your teeth with them. Leading by example can be a powerful way to teach children just about anything, including oral hygiene. To make the most of this opportunity, make sure you do it with a positive attitude. Children will pick up on how you feel about what’s happening. If you show them that it’s a good thing, they’ll be more likely to feel good about it too.

Make It Fun

Games can be a great learning tool for teaching children. Use that to your advantage by finding ways to make brushing teeth fun. You might try singing a song to help them learn how long they should brush for, counting each tooth they brush, or “finding” different things they ate throughout the day. Feel free to get a little silly. The more fun your child has, the more they’ll look forward to brushing their teeth. You might find you enjoy it more yourself.

Teaching children to brush their teeth so it becomes a lifelong habit is one of many important skills you’ll need to impart as a parental figure. Explaining why it’s important, leading by example, and finding ways to make it fun can make the process a little easier for everyone. Just remember to be patient. After all, it takes time to learn how to do anything worthwhile.

Your child’s dentist can be your ally when it comes to protecting their teeth. Schedule your first visit with us to see how we can help you get your child off to a good start from the beginning.