How to Brush Children's Teeth

From the first little tooth that pops through until they are paying for their own dental insurance, your children will be thankful if you've taught them how to care for their teeth. Follow these steps.

Things You'll Need

• Child sized toothbrush
• Toothpaste

Instructions

1. Understand as the parent, by brushing your child's teeth, you are creating better dental habits for them to carry on, reducing the amount of plague build up and contributing to better overall health for your child.

2. Select an appropriate sized toothbrush for your child. There are many brands available in fun shapes and characters just for children.

3. Choose appropriate toothpaste for your child, if he has not learned to spit out the toothpaste yet, it is important to get toddler toothpaste without fluoride. Once your child understands spitting out toothpaste, it is best to get regular toothpaste.

4. Use only a pea sized amount of toothpaste when brushing a child's teeth. Too much toothpaste can lead to accidental swallowing as well as causing an uncomfortable amount of foam.

5. Allow your child to brush her teeth by herself first. Ask her to make ten circles encompassing the front teeth, ten circles encompassing each set of side teeth and ten circles encompassing the back teeth on each side. Over time this will teach her good teeth brushing skills.

6. Brush your child's teeth for him for two to three minutes. Be sure to make this fun by counting, singing, telling a story or whatever will keep your child sitting still for the time.

Tips & Warnings

• Creating routine with brushing your teeth allows a child to know what to expect and when.

• Allow your child to watch you brush your teeth. Maybe even let him help you, since you always get to help him.

• Introduce flossing once a good tooth brushing routine has been established. Flossing becomes more important as the child's teeth begin to touch one another as more and more come in.