Oral Hygiene Tips for Kids: Teaching Effective Brushing and Flossing

Learning effective brushing and flossing during childhood can lead to good oral hygiene habits and healthy teeth for a lifetime. Our dentist in Columbus would like to provide you with some of our favorite tips for getting kids to brush and floss more effectively.  

Columbus Dentist Offers Tips for Teaching Children How to Brush and Floss Effectively

Ensure proper technique while teaching brushing

Effective brushing and flossing requires proper techniques. You’ll perform these teeth-brushing steps while your child is young, and then observe their technique until they brush and floss correctly and reliably on their own.

• For kids younger than 3 years, smear a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the bristles; for children ages 3 and up, go with a pea-sized bit of toothpaste

• Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums then use short, half-strokes to clean teeth; make sure to reach the back teeth

• Hold the toothbrush flat against chewing surfaces and move the brush back and forth

• To clean the backsides of your front teeth, tilt the toothbrush vertically and move it in up-and-down motions, using the tip of the brush

• Rinse your mouth with mouthwash as needed or desired

Make oral hygiene fun

Brushing and flossing are not necessarily fun, especially for kids who would rather be playing. Make oral hygiene more fun by:

• Playing their favorite tunes, music videos, or tooth-brushing apps while they brush

• Offering simple rewards, such as brightly-colored stickers on a success chart or points that add up to a special treat

• Let your child choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste (be sure toothbrushes are soft-bristled and the toothpastes have the ADA Seal of Acceptance and contain fluoride)  

Increase engagement

Keeping a child engaged in the process of brushing and flossing will improve the effectiveness of their oral hygiene routine. Telling a personalized story puts your child in charge of their own oral health.

Weave a tale in which plaque buildup and tooth decay are the villains, for example; armed with a toothbrush and floss, your child is a superhero. You can also create stories in which your child has to seek out plaque and bacteria hiding behind and between teeth. To increase engagement (and to give your brain a break!) ask your child for story ideas.

Use plaque disclosing tablets

These tablets contain harmless dyes that reveal areas of teeth that your child missed while brushing. Not only do these tablets help make brushing more effective, children enjoy the way the tablets turn their teeth colors.  

Brush with them

Your children learn their daily habits from you. Take two minutes in the morning or before bed to brush side-by-side with your child. Watch how they brush, and how long they brush.

Make children dental care a routine

The routines we learn in childhood – and their effects – tend to stay with us throughout our lifetime. This is especially true when it comes to oral hygiene, as poor oral health habits developed in childhood can continue into adulthood. Poor oral health habits can also cause a kid to have long-term dental health issues.

Consistency is the key when it comes to effective brushing and flossing. Routines, such as brushing and flossing at the same times every day, help children develop consistently good habits for life. Your family’s schedule will shape your child’s dental care routine. Depending on your family’s schedule, for example, it may be most convenient to brush after breakfast and before bed.

Ask our pediatric dentist in Columbus for more tips on oral hygiene for kids

For more tips on helping your kids get more out of their brushing and flossing, contact Hines Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Hines always has fresh and creative ideas for getting children involved in their own dental health. We are on the northeast side of Columbus, so we can be your pediatric dentist in New Albany too!

Connect with Hines Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry today!

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