When you have young children, it can be difficult to figure out oral hygiene. Your children need teeth cleaning to keep their mouths healthy just like you do, but they don't always want to cooperate. Here are a few tips to help you keep their smiles healthy, and also teach them to do their own teeth cleaning as they get older.

How to Help Your Child With Dental Hygiene

1. Help in Age-Appropriate Ways

Before your child's first teeth grow in, you should gently clean their gums twice a day with a clean, damp cloth. When their teeth start to come in, switch to an infant toothbrush and baby-safe toothpaste for gentle brushing. As soon as they have two teeth that touch, start flossing.

As your child gets older, they may be able to do part of the brushing while you do the rest; how soon they can do this depends on the child. Starting at around age 6, they can brush their own teeth completely under your supervision. When they've demonstrated they can clean their mouth thoroughly on their own, you don't need to watch them brush any more, although you should continue to check they're brushing and flossing twice a day.

2. Make Teeth Cleaning Time Fun

Kids may resist having their teeth brushed because it's sometimes uncomfortable or because they associate it with bedtime. To help distract them and make brushing enjoyable, you can turn it into a game, storytime, or a challenge. For example, put on music when it's time to brush. Tell your kids a story about a fairy, cowboy, dinosaur, or another figure your child likes getting rid of the "sugar bugs" on their teeth. Have a silly face contest while brushing. Give your child stickers for cooperating. Use whatever type of play or reward appeals to them.

3. Teach Your Children to Brush Right

You can help your child learn that daily brushing is important by having them brush when you do. Kids love to imitate their parents. When you do, list all the parts of your mouth you're cleaning—the top and bottom teeth, fronts, backs, sides, and tops, and also your tongue. Show them how much toothpaste to use—about a pea-sized amount—and set a timer for two minutes while you brush. If you're worried your child needs more brushing education, try downloading a tooth brushing app for kids.

Your children's dentist can also help teach your child how to brush and why teeth cleaning is important. Choose Alaska Dentistry for Kids in Anchorage for friendly, dedicated, and skilled kids' dental care. Dr. Chris Coplin and his team are preferred providers for United Concordia, MetLife, Medicaid, and Denali Kid Care. Call (907) 274-2525 for an appointment or visit their website today.