Helping your children solidify their dental care routine will allow them to carry these habits into adulthood, ensuring a healthy smile. Although getting your kids to brush their teeth may be challenging, there are several steps you can take to facilitate this task. Here’s what you can do to encourage oral hygiene.

How Parents Can Help Children Brush Their Teeth

1. Let Them Choose

Bring your little ones to the store, and let them pick their own toothbrushes. Kid brushes typically feature popular cartoon characters and fun colors, so your children may be more inclined to use their special brushes when the time comes. Make sure the toothbrushes they choose have soft bristles, as abrasive brushing may scratch supple baby teeth and gums.

2. Demonstrate It

Show your kids how to properly hold the brush’s handle, and use simple words to teach them how to apply toothpaste. Children under 3-years-old should only use a drop of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Meanwhile, kids between 3- and 6-years-old should use a pea-sized dab of toothpaste.

Clean your teeth in front of them, so they can see how you brush and rinse. If your kids are too small to reach the sink, give them cups to access the water.

3. Keep Them Engaged

Get your kids excited about brushing their teeth by turning this essential dental care task into an activity. Let them pick a song and tell them to brush and dance until the music stops—be sure the tune is two minutes long. You can also create a reward system to encourage good brushing. For example, give them a sticker whenever they brush properly, and when they collect five, treat them to a healthy snack or extra hour of playtime.

If you’d like more tips on how to instill good brushing habits, contact the team at Pedodontic Associates on Oahu and Maui, HI. These dental care professionals treat infants, children, and adolescents, and they’ll help you create a plan to ensure your kids develop healthy smiles. Visit their website to find out what to expect at the first visit. To get more information from a team member at one of their offices, call (808) 735-1733 in Honolulu, (808) 487-7933 in Aiea, and (808) 877-0066 in Kahului.