Did you know that April is National Oral Health Month?
Take some time this month to teach your kids proper oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth is about more than filling your mouth up with minty toothpaste, you know!
Whattoexpect.com has compiled these tips for teaching your kids to brush their teeth:
1. Let them pick the supplies.
Let your kids choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste. A colorful character on the brush’s handle may not inspire you, but it might make all the difference in coaxing your kid to brush their teeth. Let them pick the toothpaste too, to ensure they like the flavor.
2. Lower your expectations.
Your child probably won’t be cleaning the gum lines or reaching into tiny crevices just yet. Don’t sweat it. These early lessons are as much about instilling the habit as they are about technique. The more practice they gets, the faster they’ll improve.
3. Take turns.
If you’re really worried that your toddler’s teeth aren’t getting properly cleaned while they're still learning, let them do the morning brushing session, while you handle the evening one. That way, they’ll get practice brushing on their own in the a.m., but they’ll also get a reminder of your technique in the p.m. Nighttime is also a good opportunity for you to get your kids used to flossing once a day before brushing, but stick to flossing their teeth until they're a little older.
4. Brush along with them.
Join your kids as they brush their teeth. Hopefully this will encourage them to take a little longer and give their teeth a more-thorough cleaning.
5. Take a spin.
Consider giving your child a battery-powered spin toothbrush. The novelty might coerce your child to brush their teeth. Plus, there are some toothbrushes that play a song until it’s time to stop, or signal that two minutes are up by making a noise.
6. Find an ally.
Ask the dentist to praise your child for brushing their own teeth for some extra encouragement from someone other than mom or dad.
