Getting a child to properly brush their teeth morning and night is not always the easiest of tasks. If your child’s teeth are starting to come in, then take a look at these simple toothbrush tips for tots.
1. Make Sure You Have the Right Brush
There are thousands of different toothbrushes on the market, and finding the right one for your child can be an overwhelming task. When it comes to a kid’s brush, it is important to find one that is comfortable for them to use and small enough to fit in their mouth. You might also want to consider allowing them to pick out their own colorful toothbrush with their favorite cartoon characters to make daily brushing more exciting. As a general rule, toothbrushes made for children should have softer bristles to protect their growing teeth.
2. Let Them Choose a Brushing Song
Most dentists agree that children should brush their teeth two or three times a day for a minimum of two minutes. If your child is having a hard time brushing for two full minutes, then you can use one of their favorite songs to help them stay focused. Most kids’ songs last for anywhere from 90 to 120 seconds, and this makes them great options for a brushing song.
3. Encourage Them to Ask Their Dentist Questions About Brushing
Having anxiety over dental work is something that children pick up from friends and family members. The best way to combat this is to begin visiting the dentist early and encouraging them to ask the dentist any questions that they have. This can include questions about why we must brush our teeth or the best brushing techniques. Family dentists like Smith Family Dental have experience talking about issues such as cavities in a manner that children will understand.
4. Create a Reward System
Positive reinforcement is a great way to build lifelong habits, but this does not mean that your child needs a monetary reward every time that they brush. Instead, you might want to create a brushing chart that they can mark off every time that they brush. When they have brushed for a certain amount of time, they can then choose simple rewards such as staying up for an extra 30 minutes at night to watch their favorite show.
Children with impeccable oral hygiene habits are much less likely to suffer from common oral health problems including gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth discoloration.
Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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