Tips & Tricks on How to Get Your Kids to Brush Their Teeth

Good dental hygiene habits really do go along way at making sure your teeth and gums stays clean and healthy. That is why it’s important to start these habits young. Parents play an important role in establishing a well-rounded dental hygiene routine for their children.

Understandably, it can be really difficult getting a loud, excited, hyper little kid to stand still in front of the mirror twice a day. However, the Townsville Dentist has a bunch of handy tips that will help every parent struggling to get their kid to hold a toothbrush.

Make it an activity you do together

The very first step is to ensure that you are a good role model for your kid. When it’s time to clean their teeth, make sure you’re right there alongside with a toothbrush of your own. Kids love copying their parents, so this is a great way to practice proper teeth brushing. You can make it a fun little game of going through each step.

Step 1: Wet the toothbrush (soft-bristled) and squirt some toothpaste on it.

Step 2: Angle the brush at 45 degrees towards the gums of the upper and lower teeth.

Step 3: Gently move the toothbrush in a back-and-forth motion along the teeth and gums. Make sure you cover the front and back of the teeth.

Step 4: Place the tip of the brush in an upright position to reach behind the front teeth on the top and bottom.

Step 5: Make sure to also brush the tongue to remove the bacteria build-up on its surface.

There are many ways to make this into a fun routine. Find catchy songs on YouTube that incorporate these steps for the both of you to sing along too, make it into a copycat game so your child follows you or give them a little star sticker when they remember one of the steps on their own.

Get fun toothbrushes

Give your kid something fun to look forward to when brushing their teeth by getting them a cool toothbrush that incorporates their favourite characters or ones with funky colours. When picking out a toothbrush for your child, just make sure it has soft-bristles and an easy-grip handle so your child can hold on to it properly. Alternatively, you can invest in an electric toothbrush, those ones never fail to get children excited.

Time the brushing

One thing even many adults don’t seem to have the habit of is brushing their teeth for at least 2 minutes. To ensure this is a habit that sticks even in their later years, it’s essential to put it in practice from the very start.

Get a two-minute sand clock or set a timer on your phone that plays a fun tune at the end of two minutes. However, it’s also good to go over a mouth check after the two minutes to ensure both and you and your child has covered all areas of your teeth, gum and tongue.

Visit the dentist

Finally, have your children visit the dentist to get them used to the whole process. Ideally, the twice a year visit should start when your child is two to three years old. You want to make sure they don’t grow up being afraid of dentist check-ups and are familiar with the environment.

At The Townsville Dentist, we are equipped for children’s dentistry. We create a warm and hospitable environment that is inviting for all children. Our dentists are gentle and friendly, making it a very comfortable experience for your child. Feel free to bring your child in for a dentist visit; the professionals at our clinic will be more than happy to have a chat about dental hygiene and give you advice to ensure your children have healthy and well-developed teeth.