Parents, once you master your own oral hygiene, it’s time to pass that knowledge on to your kids! And it’s never too early to start…
Baby teeth are the foundations for adult teeth. They help our little ones to smile, eat, and eventually talk. Kids can get cavities too. In fact, more than 48% of Australian children get holes and tooth decay before they turn five – and many have to have teeth removed. That’s why it’s essential to teach kids the habits they need to have a smile they can be proud of for the rest of their lives.
Healthy teeth at every age
Most of us aren’t aware that kids need help brushing and flossing their teeth until they’re about 8 years old. Most younger kids don’t have the manual dexterity needed to do it effectively.
Watch the following videos to find out how to brush your child’s teeth at every age.
How to brush with your baby (0 – 18 months old)
How to brush with your toddler or pre-schooler
How to overcome common tooth brushing challenges
It’s normal for kids to not enjoy toothbrushing at some stage.
Some can’t be bothered when they’re tired at night.
Others might bite the toothbrush so you can’t get in there, or suck the toothpaste right off the brush.
Try the following tips for overcoming common tooth brushing challenges.
- Make it fun. Set the tooth-brushing mood by putting on a tooth-brushing song. And praise, clap, and cheer to encourage a job well done.
- Make it a family affair. Brush your teeth at the same time you brush your kid’s. Or start without them! When kids see parents brushing, they may beg to join in too.
- Have everything ready to go. Load the toothpaste on the brush, set a timer and pull up a stool so all your kid has to do is rock up and open up.
- Brush off sleepiness. If your young one gets too tired at night, brush shortly after dinner instead of right before bed.
- Stick to a routine. Get kids into the habit of brushing their teeth as soon as they finish breakfast or dinner and clear the table.
When it comes to kids, toothbrushing doesn’t always go to plan. We all hear the word “No” now and then. If it gets difficult, just do as much as you can. And don’t give up on it.
Keep coming back to the routine of toothbrushing—every morning and every night.
