Helpful Pediatric Dentistry Tips!

4 Parenting Tips to Help Your Child Brush Their Teeth

Establishing good oral hygiene habits at a young age can help children stick with them into adulthood. Sometimes it can be difficult to start the dental health journey—many parents struggle to get their children to brush their teeth. Pediatric Dentistry of Iowa is here with tips to help motivate your children to begin and stick to their lifelong dental routine. 

Why Your Child Needs to Brush Their Teeth

The development of your child’s permanent teeth relies heavily on their daily brushing and oral routine. While baby teeth fall out, they are extremely important and act as placeholders for adult teeth. Without proper care, your child is more vulnerable to tooth decay, cavities, gum inflammation, and more. 

Make sure to familiarize yourself with your child’s dental milestones to prevent issues in oral development as best as you can. By encouraging your kids to brush their teeth regularly and by following these simple guidelines, you can help protect their oral health, create oral confidence, and set them up for success.

1. Start a Teeth Brushing Routine With Your Child and Stick to It

Consistency is the first and most important step in establishing a new habit. A consistent dental routine makes it easier for kids to follow and maintain. It can be tempting to allow your child to skip brushing if they’re tired or if you’re running late, but the more you can make dental care a part of your child’s daily life, the more likely they’ll stick to it long-term. 

Most dentists recommend having your child gently brush their teeth twice a day. Use the right cleaning agent and know when it’s time to start using toothpaste for your child. Designating certain times for teeth brushing, typically in morning and bedtime routines, is effective in building this habit. Your child will eventually associate brushing with getting out of bed and going to bed.

2. Let Your Child Pick Out Their Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Make brushing something to get excited about! Allowing your child to pick out their own toothbrush and even toothpaste gives them a sense of ownership and personalizes the experience for them. Many pediatric toothbrushes have fun colors, animations, lights, and even sounds to play that can incentivise teeth brushing. By having the freedom to pick out their own toothbrush, your child can more easily engage in taking care of their teeth, and it will make brushing a lot more fun for them. 

Similar to toothbrushes, there are different types of toothpaste your child can pick from, with a variety of fun flavors and colors. Both training toothpastes and fluoride toothpastes have these options to make brushing a little bit easier. Remember to teach your child to use a pea-sized amount and spit out any excess toothpaste after brushing

3. Set an Example By Brushing Your Teeth With Your Child

Children learn many of their developed habits simply by watching those around them. If you aren’t participating in a healthy oral routine, it will be difficult for your child to want to as well. By sharing and emphasizing your own dental routine, you will directly influence the efficacy of your child’s routine. 

To take it one step further, you can brush your teeth with your child. By doing this, you can make toothbrushing more of an activity rather than a chore (or punishment). This will also allow you to keep an eye on your child to not only make sure they brush, but that they are doing so correctly. 

4. Reward Your Child for Good Teeth Brushing Habits

For those who just need a little extra push to brush, the theory of rewarding good behavior has proved to be extremely effective, especially in habit creation. Positive reinforcement for teeth brushing will associate favorable feelings with the act. This could look like encouragement, praise, or a special treat/prize to work towards. Find what motivates your child and stick to that!

You can also find a multitude of child-friendly resources to help your child love brushing, from apps you can download on your phone to books and videos about the topic. Find a children’s book about their favorite cartoon character that encourages kids to brush their teeth, or download an app that engages your child and guides them through proper technique as they brush. 

Central Iowa’s Premier Pediatric Dentist

Incorporating tooth brushing into your child’s routine is important for their dental health and a crucial step towards independence. The process doesn’t have to be tedious—by making dental care a positive part of their daily routine, you can help protect their teeth and develop healthy, lifelong habits. For additional tips and advice on optimizing your child’s oral health, contact the Pediatric Dentistry of Central Iowa team to make an appointment. We are happy to walk through dental health habits that are specific to your child’s needs!