Teaching Your Kids Good Brushing Habits (And Technique!)

Helping your child learn good dental habits as early as possible can set them up for a life of good dental health, and brushing is an important dental habit! Here are a few tips from Dr. Garcia to help you teach your children good brushing habits (and technique!):

1.    Teach Them the 2X2 Rule

The general rule for the best clean is to brush for two minutes, two times a day (2x2). It may be difficult at first for your child to brush for the duration at the beginning, so allow them to start slowly and build up to it. Setting a timer will help them brush for the duration.

2.    Use Oral Care Products Made for Kids

There are many oral care products, including toothpastes and toothbrushes, that are made to meet the unique dental needs of children. The toothbrushes are normally smaller to better fit your child’s mouth, and also come in a variety of colors and designs. The toothpaste comes in a variety of flavors and the packaging also comes in a variety of designs.

3.    Make Brushing Fun

Special toothpastes and toothbrushes can make brushing enjoyable for your child; you can even let them pick out their own! You can also play music for the two minutes your child is brushing. You can also let your child brush your teeth or a doll’s teeth before they brush theirs to show them that brushing can be fun!

4.    Model Good Habits

Teaching your kids good brushing habits begins with you! If your child sees you brushing twice a day every day for two minutes, there’s a good chance they’ll want to imitate what you’re doing. The imitation can grow into a strong health habit!

5.    Teach Proper Technique

It’s important to teach proper brushing technique from the beginning. Here’s how to brush:

• Brush the inside and outside of every tooth at a 45-degree angle with short, gentle strokes. Move from the gums towards the edge of the teeth.
• Hold the brush flat and brush chewing surfaces with a back-and-forth motion.
• Tilt the toothbrush up or down and brush the inside surfaces of front teeth with gentle up-and-down strokes.

You can brush your child’s teeth a few times to show them how it’s done before they do it themselves.

Teaching your child good brushing habits and techniques is simple, and it will set your child up for a lifetime of dental health! And don’t forget to teach them to floss and to set up an appointment with Dr. Garcia for regular dental checkups!

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