Teaching kids how to brush is one of the toughest jobs. Parents usually have to run behind their kids to get them to brush their teeth because kids don't like brushing their teeth daily. Teaching them the right way to brush very early on will prevent them from several dental problems in future. But it is not as easy as it seems. So, how to teach kids brush their teeth? It’s a step-by-step process and here is how it starts.
The Basics of Oral Hygiene for Kids
Healthy teeth are important for a kid’s overall health. With regular consumption of chocolates and toffies, their teeth are more prone to decay and tooth loss. Cavities or tooth decay is seen the most among kids but they can be preventable with regular brushing, flossing, reduced sugar intake and regular dental care. The basics of oral hygiene lies in forming a habit that kids follow everyday. Strong oral health also helps set good dental habits as they grow.
Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Kids How to Brush Teeth
Let’s teach kids how to brush teeth. This teeth brushing guide for children will form a healthy habit for them to follow-
Picking Toothbrush: The first thing is to let them choose their brush. Kids are fascinated by designs and colours. Let them choose their favourite brush with fun elements upon it making sure it has soft bristles. It will make them wanting to check the brush more often.
Chemical-free toothpaste: Choosing a better toothpaste for kids is crucial. Kids have very sensitive tooth muscles and gums. Any harsh toothpaste can disturb the muscles and kids can feel a burning sensation. This pain will make them not want to brush. Therefore, choose toothpaste with no chemicals so that their skin doesn’t feel the pain.
Pick a time: Now that you have their favourite toothbrush and good toothpaste, set a time for brushing. Teaching kids how to brush starts from here. You set a time for them just like playtime, foodtime and brushing time.
Start brushing: Start brushing their teeth from the backside in a circular motion. Move the brush back and forth with a gentle stroke. Also, make sure to brush the gums as well to remove plaque.
Spit it out: After a proper 2 minutes of brushing, it’s time to spit it out. Do not let them swallow it otherwise, it will upset their tummy.
Floss Time: Now it’s time for flossing. Flossing removes food debris and plaque from in between the teeth and along the gum line.
Clean your tongue: Use a good tongue cleaner to remove all the dust from a kid’s tongue.
This brushing guide for children will help them form a habit. Once a brushing habit is formed, it will help in taking care of their dental health.
How do you overcome challenges around brushing?
Teaching kids to brush their teeth is in itself a work which needs a lot of patience. Children usually retaliate by being asked to brush their teeth. For kids, brushing their teeth is just like another boring activity where they don't want to spend their time. Motivating them to brush is an achievement for most of the parents. So, how to teach kids how to brush their teeth?
Talk to them: A few things you can try are starting with a story of why brushing your teeth is important, you can brush along with them so that they can watch you and learn, cater to their preferences regarding toothbrush and toothpaste, show them with visual appealing videos on teaching kids how to brush teeth.
Break down the steps for them: Teaching kids how to brush teeth is a difficult task but you can simplify it by breaking steps down with fun games. The kids will also not feel the burden of brushing their teeth rather they will start enjoying the process.
Reward them: You can reward them after they complete brushing. Gifts are kid’s favourite things so when they are given rewards they will be looking at them.
Do it every day: Do not skip any day for brushing even if the child is retaliating to an extent. Kid’s memories are short-lived so to form a habit, you have to keep on reminding them to brush.
The Role of Regular Dental Visits
Regular dental visits for children are as important as anything else because kid’s teeth are easily prone to cavities due to over-exposed food that they are eating. Preventive dental care will help in avoiding gum diseases and cavities and regular brushing help in removing plaque and bacteria that can lead to oral health issues.
The dentist will emphasize how to teach kids how to brush their teeth and a proper teeth-brushing guide for children. Dental visits and checkups should become a part of a child’s annual health and oral wellness routine.
Conclusion
Dental care is an essential part of a kid’s oral health. Help your kids on how to brush their teeth and form a regular habit. This teeth brushing guide for children will help you incorporate the habit in them and help the kids learn about oral cleaning to prevent many oral health issues at large.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you teach your child to brush their teeth?
Break the brushing steps into several parts, pick a time, let them choose their toothbrush and toothpaste, include fun games into the brushing session, reward them and read them stories about cavity monsters. These will hook the kids into oral cleaning.
2. Which brushing technique is best for children?
Dentist recommends circular motion brushing technique for children. The Circular technique doesn’t harm the gums and puts less pressure on them. It also prevents bleeding gums.
3. How do I brush my 7-year-old teeth?
You can start brushing their teeth from the backside in a circular motion. Move the brush back and forth with a gentle stroke. After the brushing is done, do not let them swallow the paste. You can add some fun games for them to have some fun while brushing.
4. How to teach kids to brush their teeth?
Start by demonstrating the techniques, ask them to choose their toothbrush, show them some brushing videos, brush their teeth together, read their stories and offer some incentives.