HOW TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH (FOR KIDS!)

How to Brush Your Teeth (for Kids!) Brushing your teeth is essential to keeping your mouth in good health and to making sure your teeth last. For adults, it is a bit simpler to know that you are brushing right and that you are taking good care of your teeth. For those that have kids, making sure they are brushing correctly can be a bit more difficult. Here are four tips to help make brushing more fun and to help make sure it is done right when learning how to brush your teeth for kids.  

1. CHOOSE YOUR BRUSH

The first and possibly most important thing to do is to choose the right brush. A manual brush may be great to start off with but as more teeth grow in, an electric brush may be better for making the most of brushing time.  You need to make sure you are also getting the right size of brush and the right softness as well. You want a very soft brush as little gums and teeth are delicate and a firm brush can cause damage and pain. Likewise, a brush that is too large is not going to get into the crevices of your child’s mouth and can leave behind debris.  

2. SET A TIMER

Another great tip is to set a timer. The suggested time that adults brush is two minutes, odds are you are not going to be able to get your child to brush for that long. A good way to make sure they are brushing for at least a minute is to set a timer and have them watch it while they brush. This will help them to brush for the correct amount of time and will also help them to focus on their brushing.  

3. BE THOROUGH

It is important to make sure you are brushing all parts of your child’s teeth. Make sure to brush front, back, and side to side and make sure that you brush all the contours of their teeth. Little mouths can harbor a lot of bacteria and left over food and without brushing all the food from their mouths your child can end up having cavities even if they brush. Make sure to start in the back and work your way forward. Starting in the front may end in teeth in the back being neglected. If you start in the back you can make sure that the most attention is given to molars and that these essential teeth are clean and well cared for.  

4. UNDERSTAND THE WHY

Another great tip is to get your child involved in the process. Explain what you are doing, give them tips so that if they are staying at grandma and grandpa’s house they can help make sure their teeth are brushed properly. Explaining what is going on is also a great way to help make sure your child understands the importance of brushing so that they do not struggle or refuse to brush. Let them pick out a toothbrush, let them put the paste on, get fun bathroom cups for rinsing, these are all ways to get your kid involved so brushing is more fun and less of a chore.   Brushing your teeth is just part of the process. You should also take the time to make sure you are taking your child to the dentist regularly. Biltmore Commons Dental Care offers a wide range of services for both kids and adults and offers you the chance to get great care that is needed for good dental health. Call today to schedule a visit. Prefer to do it online?