Brush Away All The Germs

Your child is at the age where he wants to do everything on his own and this includes brushing his teeth.  That’s great!  It’s important to establish a healthy brushing routine early on for good oral care.  Ideally, your child should brush his teeth after every meal but we know that at times this is not always the case. You might want to begin with brushing two times a day for two minutes each.  (Good number talk too!)

Remind your child that he should wash his hands before and after bushing his teeth.  Always rinse the toothbrush with water before and after use.  Be a role model for your child by brushing your teeth at the same time.   Use just a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and discourage your child to swallow the toothpaste.  If your child has a difficult time spitting (which happens in most children) a fun idea is to take him outside and practice spitting together!  Of course, explain that spitting is only for brushing teeth, but it is a fun way to teach that skill!  

When your child finishes brushing his teeth follow up with an inspection and maybe a bit more brushing.  It’s important to be sure all areas are clean.  Praise him for his hard work, show him how to rinse off his toothbrush and put it away properly so it can dry.  Don’t forget to visit your dentist for regular checkups.

If your child doesn’t like to brush his teeth you can visit the library for some books on teeth.  There are some great books about losing teeth and the importance of teeth.  Or maybe a book on animal teeth will spark his interest.  Next, a brand new toothbrush may do the trick.  How about a toothbrush in his favorite color or a toothbrush with one of his beloved characters?  Don’t forget to pick out some new toothpaste!  Maybe it will come in a tube or a squirting container?  There are so many choices available today.  Don’t forget to give him a stepstool to make it easier for him to reach the sink.  By making your bathroom family friendly you will help your child develop the skills necessary to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.