Getting Kids to Brush Properly

May 4th, 2010 by Bill E. Kidd

Chances are when your child first started showing signs of erupting teeth their doctor instructed you to take a soft and wet washcloth and gently wipe them clean a few times a day.

As babies, children rarely fuss over this type of thing done by a parent and a tooth cleaning is a breeze. But, when the child gets older there is much more work to be done in terms of dental hygiene.

When more and more teeth start presenting themselves, the will need for a soft toothbrush will arrive. Brushing a toddler’s teeth should be done with the aid of parents. Parents can use non-fluoride toothpaste like Baby OraGel to get the job done. It’s created for toddlers and is very safe to use.

Parent And Child Brushing Together
Chances are your child watches your every move and learns things along the way. So, why not making teeth brushing a habit you do together? Set aside time to always brush your teeth together and stick to it. Your child will see how to properly brush their teeth and adore your company.

Small Amount of Paste
TV commercials want you to use 5x more toothpaste than necessary, but kids think the sensation is very strange. Be certain you’re only putting a very small amount (rice sized amount) of toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush when you show them how to properly brush their teeth. Younger kids will swallow the toothpaste and won’t know when to spit out the excess so a small amount is recommended. In addition, your child’s adult teeth can get little white spots should they swallow too much non-fluoride toothpaste.

When parents start having kids old enough to brush their own teeth, things can get a bit tricky. Parents might notice children lying about how great or how often they brush their teeth. The child may feel too old for the parent to assist them with brushing but may not be quite mature enough to do a thorough job on their own.

Give The Child A Chance
Don’t be quick to criticize the child if they aren’t brushing how you’ve instructed them to do. Allow them the time to brush their own teeth. Then take the time to examine their teeth, praise them for a job well done and tell them you just need to finish up a little. This is your chance to get any spots they may have missed.

Some kids are vocal about not wanting to brush their teeth at all. Some will make up lies about brushing their teeth but parents can quickly examine the mouth to see if the teeth search and smell clean.

Let Them Choose Their Brush
Allowing a child to pick out their own toothbrush can be a great idea. They can feel ownership over the brush and be more encouraged to use it as often as they can. It gives them control and they’ll like that. Just be sure whatever kind they choose is the right size for a child and is considered “soft”.

Parents with younger kids who are beginning to brush their teeth without assistance can use these tips to help them get excited about becoming more responsible with their dental health.

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