How to Teach Kids to Brush Their Teeth? Here Our 5 Top Tips

Like getting your child to stop at the curb or to look both ways before crossing the street, teaching them to brush their teeth is paramount for their long term health. 

Knowing how to teach kids to brush their teeth is crucial if they are to maintain good oral hygiene. According to the ADA, tooth decay is a disease that a whopping 50% of children below the age of 6 suffer from. 

The thing is a child’s first teeth aren’t permanent and it takes approximately 3 years before they all come in. Once they reach the age of 12 or 14 those baby teeth have fallen and been replaced by adult permanent teeth. So, if a child is going to lose their primary teeth anyway, does brushing teeth regularly really matter?

Well, yes as it happens. Baby teeth play an important role in laying the foundations for adult teeth. They act as placeholders for the permanent teeth and if they fall out too early, there may not be sufficient room for the permanent teeth to come through properly. Decaying baby teeth can cause pain and discomfort, infection, low self-esteem and make it difficult for your child to eat and speak properly.  

That said, ask any parent and they’ll tell you that teaching their kids the rudiments of brushing teeth isn’t always a straightforward process. This is why we’ve put together 5 top tips to make toothbrushing a fun and enjoyable experience that puts your child in good stead for long term good oral hygiene. 

It’s important to get your child into good brushing habits from an early age if you want them to learn how to brush their teeth properly. We recommend you bring your little one for a general check-up as soon as their first tooth comes through. By starting at an early age your child will start to accept that brushing needs to be done regularly. The idea is that you work together as parents to teach your children to develop a routine. 

Once you have a routine in place, be sure to explain in detail the importance of good oral hygiene. Explain tooth decay and cavities. Your child won’t want harmful germs in their mouth. Keep relaying the fact that brushing teeth regularly leads to a beautiful smile. 

Children learn by copying, so brush along with them and try to make it a fun experience. Apps such as Brush DJ are perfect for all ages wanting to improve their oral hygiene. they play 2 minutes of music enabling you all to brush for the recommended time. It even gives a buzz after 30 seconds to know when to change sides plus there’s a round of applause once you’re finished.  

This handy app also has short videos demonstrating how to brush the teeth properly and how to floss between the teeth as well.

Fortunately, there are plenty of toothbrushes and brands of toothpaste for children to choose from. Why not take your child to the store and let them pick out a toothbrush and toothpaste for themselves. Getting them to take responsibility for their oral care is a good way for them to see the importance of it.  

With so many colours, characters, patterns and flavours to choose from, finding a favourite could take some time. Instead, you might want to consider buying a couple of toothbrushes so they can switch it up now and again. Sometimes the flavour of toothpaste doesn’t live up to a child’s expectations, so if ‘bubble gum’ wasn’t a hit, let them try ‘strawberry’ instead.

There’s nothing that motivates a child more than having a parent by their side cheering them on. That’s why it’s important to applaud your child’s brushing skills and encourage them to repeat the process twice a day, every day. 

Positive reinforcement is a great way of ensuring they continue good brushing habits for life. You might even want to consider a ‘reward scheme’ by placing a sticker on a wall chart after they have brushed and flossed twice a day.

Our last tip is to choose a good family dentist that will give your child a ‘high-five’ during a general check-up for the amazing job they’ve done of brushing their teeth. It’s great to get praise from mum or dad but when it’s from a figure of authority dressed in a white jacket, well that’s something else! 

The right dentist and/or hygienist will also be happy to provide you with other tips and tricks during visits and take time to make a general check-up fun and stress-free for all the family. 

If you want to learn how to teach kids to brush their teeth then the dentists at Riverlands Dental are happy to work alongside you. We understand the importance of good oral hygiene from an early age and do all we can to make dental visits fun so your child can’t wait to come back and see us again. 

Why not schedule a check-up for you and your child today. We love treating generations of families. Call Riverlands Dental today on (02) 4501 7930 or book an appointment online.