How to teach kids to brush teeth

Teaching a child to brush their teeth properly is an important step in promoting good oral hygiene and preventing dental problems in the future. Brushing and flossing daily can help to remove plaque and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It also teaches them the importance of being independent. 

Get your child a cute toothbrush

Getting a cute toothbrush will draw your child’s attention to it. This will interest your child more to brush teeth every day. It’s best to choose brighter colours as children love objects that are bright and flashy. 

Remember to buy a toothbrush that fits into your child’s mouth right, and the bristles should be soft to prevent gum bleeding while they brush their teeth. As for toothpaste, remember to purchase fluorine-free ones and allow your child to choose whichever flavour he/she likes. 

Show your child how to make the brushing motion

Once your child is familiar with their new toothbrush, you can begin teaching your child on how to use it. You can teach them by showing how it’s done and have them follow your actions. So, every time you’re going to brush your teeth, have your child follow you, and it could be an activity done together every day. 

Teach your child how to squeeze toothpaste and the places to brush

Once your child starts mastering the brushing motion, guide them to learn how to squeeze the toothpaste onto the toothbrush and moist their mouth before brushing. Remember to teach your child to brush all the surfaces of their teeth and encourage them to look into the mirror to practice.

Lastly, teach your child to rinse their mouth after brushing

Guide your child to gargle their mouth with water to wash out the remaining toothpaste in their mouth. Remember to also teach your child to wash and rinse their toothbrush to ensure that it’s clean.

A healthy mouth can also impact overall general health, poor oral hygiene is linked to several systemic diseases and conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, so it’s important to make sure your child has good oral hygiene from an early age.