How to Teach your Child to Brush their Teeth: A Guide for Parents
As a parent, you want to give your child the best possible start in life, and good dental hygiene is a vital part of that. But getting your child to brush their milk teeth can be a chore, and many parents struggle with it. If you’re looking for tips on how to teach your child to brush their teeth, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll share some practical advice on how to make toothbrushing fun and engaging for your child, and help them develop good oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime.
1. Start Early
It’s never too early to start teaching your child about dental hygiene. Even before their first tooth appears, you can gently clean their gums and tongue with baby gum wipes or baby dental wipes. This will help them get used to the sensation of having something in their mouth and make toothbrushing less daunting when the time comes. As soon as your child has teeth, start brushing them twice a day, using a small, soft bristled toothbrush for kids paired with some yummy brush-baby toothpaste!
2. Make Toothbrushing Fun
Children are more likely to enjoy toothbrushing if it’s fun and engaging. Try singing a song or telling a story while you brush their teeth, or make up a game where they can pretend to be a dentist or tooth fairy. You can also let your child choose their own kids toothbrush and child toothpaste, with fun designs and flavours that they will enjoy. We stock a wide range of non-minty infant toothpaste flavours.
3. Demonstrate Good Brushing Technique
Children learn from imitation, so make sure you demonstrate good brushing technique when you brush your own teeth. Show your child how to hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth, and brush in a circular motion for two minutes. Our kids electric toothbrushes notify the child when they need to begin brushing the next quadrant and have fun flashing lights to keep little ones engaged whilst they brush!
4. Reward Good Behaviour
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool in shaping behaviour. Praise your child when they brush their teeth well, and reward them with our kids toothbrush stickers, small toys, or a trip to the park. You can also use our brush-baby toothbrushing chart to track their progress and give them a sense of accomplishment.
5. Teach the Importance of Dental Hygiene
As your child grows, they will start to understand the importance of dental hygiene for their health and wellbeing. Talk to them about why it’s important to brush their milk teeth, and how it can prevent cavities and other dental problems. Use age-appropriate books and videos to teach them about the anatomy of teeth and gums, and encourage them to ask questions.
Teaching your child to brush their teeth is a crucial part of their overall health and wellbeing. By making tooth brushing fun and engaging, demonstrating good technique, and rewarding good behaviour, you can help your child develop good oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime. Remember to start early, be patient, and lead by example, and your child will soon be brushing their teeth like a pro!