Tips for Developing Good Tooth Brushing Habits in Children

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Taking proper care of your child’s teeth, as well as developing good brushing habits in your toddlers and young children, are very important practices for your child’s having healthy and strong teeth all life long. Sometimes, children refuse brushing their teeth and the bathroom turns into a battleground. Sometimes, parents do not pay proper attention or have a lack of knowledge for teaching their children good dental habits. We hope that the tips below will help parents to make their children love and enjoy tooth brushing.

• Before the age of 1, clean your child’s teeth and gums with water and a soft washcloth.
• Between the age of 1 and 2, clean the teeth of your child with a small toothbrush and a soft toothpaste with or without fluoride (such as Baby Oral Gel, etc.). Train your child to spit the toothpaste out of his mouth.
• You can start getting your child to brush his teeth himself at the age of 2.
• To begin with, make your child hold a mirror in front of his mouth while you are brushing his teeth. This way he will be able to see what’s going on.
• Be sure that your child uses a small-size tooth brush with soft bristles.
• Let you child pick several toothbrushes for children with his favorite cartoon characters, toothbrushes with blinking lights or a battery operated vibrating toothbrushes. Every time let your child choose which toothbrush to use (this way he will be in control of the situation).
• You can buy special toothbrushes that play various songs for 2 minutes, or use an egg timer set for 2 minutes (the recommended duration of every tooth brushing session).
• Let him use a pea-size toothpaste drop for brushing his teeth.
• Let your child learn brushing his teeth with small circles: first, on the cheek and tongue sides, then on the chewing surfaces, and then on the tongue and gums.
• Always help your child to finish brushing his teeth. Usually, until the child is about 7-8 years old, he is not able to do a good job on his own.
• Do everything possible to make tooth brushing a fun activity! Brush you teeth together with your child and allow him to brush your teeth, too. Laugh and make noises! Allow him to brush the teeth of his favorite toy! Make it a game and make it fun! Catch “sugar bugs” on his teeth! Or let him know that Tooth Fairy leaves prizes for clean teeth!
• Be sure that your child rinses the mouth well after brushing and does not swallow the toothpaste. Tell him that swallowing toothpaste can lead to serious problems with health.
• Remember to store the toothpaste out of child’s reach to prevent him eating it.
• Do not forget to replace your child’s toothbrush every 2-3 months or after a heavy infection, flu and other infectious diseases. Be sure that your children never use each other’s toothbrushes.
• Remember that in order to ensure excellent dental health of your child, the specialists recommend brushing his teeth for 2 minutes twice a day: in the morning and before the bedtime.