Children always want to do the same thing that an adult or a sibling does. This is the perfect way to teach children how to have proper oral hygiene. If you use electric toothbrushes to brush your teeth, your child will want to brush theirs the same way. They’re too small for an electric one, but there are plenty of battery-powered models for kids.
Teaching children from a young age will help prevent damage to their teeth and gums later in life. Baby teeth are just as important to care for as permanent teeth. Before your children’s teeth come in, don’t use toothpaste to clean their gums; just use water as a rinse. When the teeth start to come in, use a very soft bristle brush and water.
When toddlers start to imitate and want to brush their teeth, they should use toothpaste made for toddlers. This type of toothpaste does not contain excessive amounts of fluoride and is safe to swallow. There are battery operated toothbrushes made for toddlers with very soft bristles or you can let them use a manual one.
It is recommended to brush our teeth for two minutes. Getting your child to brush their teeth for two minutes will be difficult at times, unless they are entertained. There are plenty of kids’ toothbrushes that will play music for a full two minutes. This will teach your child not to stop brushing until the music stops.
If you prefer your child to use a manual toothbrush, use an egg timer that can be set to two minutes. The child will anticipate the timer going off while she continues brushing her teeth. It is important for children to get into the habit of brushing their teeth in the morning and before bed. Children will often agree to complete hygiene tasks if it is some kind of game.
Kids love games so make it a game to complete your hygiene chores. Create a song with the child that sings them through each process of brushing teeth, taking a bath, and putting on pajamas. Many times the child will be more than willing to brush their teeth if an adult brushes theirs at the same time.
Part of the oral hygiene process includes brushing the tongue and gums, but children can find this difficult. Teach the child by demonstrating the correct form. Teeth should also floss. Try using one of the flavored children’s dental flosses to start regular flossing.
Brushing your teeth as soon as possible is the most important part of preventing cavities. The sooner a child learns to care for their teeth, the stronger and healthier their teeth will be. Poor oral hygiene can be painful and costly when frequent visits to the dentist are required. Remember that the child will want to do anything that he sees an adult do, so if he uses electric toothbrushes, getting the child a battery-powered one will probably persuade him to brush his teeth.