How to Teach Your Child to Brush His Teeth

Sometimes, kids can struggle with brushing their teeth because it isn’t fun and they don’t know exactly what to do. Using a few simple steps and attempting to make it enjoyable you can help your child become successful at this everyday task.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Child toothpaste
• Adult toothpaste
• Child toothbrush
• Adult toothbrush
• Cup (not breakable)
• Sink
• Water

1. First, let your child know that they will be learning about something very important. Give him the toothbrush and the toothpaste (closed). Let him explore the two things.

2. Next, ask your child about the toothbrush and toothpaste. Ask if they know what a toothbrush and toothpaste is used for. Ask them about a time or remind them of a time when they observed someone else brushing their teeth. Ask them to show you what it looked like.

3. Modeling or demonstrating brushing your teeth for the child will give them a clear picture of what to do. Make sure that you are on their level and they are close enough to observe your actions. If a concept is new, children may have a better time grasping it when you relate it to something they know.

4. Let your child know that his mouth is a lot like a house. There is an upstairs (top row) with a lot of different rooms (teeth) and a downstairs with a lot of different rooms. The tongue is like the stairs that lead up and down in the house.

5. As you are describing these parts, make sure to point them out to your child in your own mouth and ask them to point them out to you on his own mouth.

6. Next, describe the toothbrush as a broom or a vacuum cleaner (or some other cleaning object that your child is familiar with). They need to add a little cleaner (toothpaste) to the broom to clean the whole house. As you are telling him, add toothpaste to your toothbrush.

7. Demonstrate using your own toothpaste and toothbrush beginning upstairs and working your way downstairs and finally cleaning the tongue. Take your time, your child is watching and taking it all in.

8. Now, spit into the sink. For many kids, this is the best part and what they will look forward to the most. Explain that you are getting rid of all the dirt in the house and the leftover cleaner. Rinse with water (as the child gets older, you may want to incorporate mouthwash) and again spit into the sink. Make it a point to let your child take a look and see how clean your teeth and mouth are.

9. Now, give them an opportunity to try it out. Put the toothpaste on the toothbrush for the child, but let them start to brush by themselves. Help as you need to, reminding them to get each part of the house clean. End by helping hem rinse their mouth out.

10. Make sure to celebrate with your child at the completion of the task!

Tips & Warnings

• Try to balance between helping your child and letting him brush independently.
• Relax and have fun with your child!
• Make sure your child knows that toothpaste is the only cleaner that should ever be put in their mouths.

[mweise]

on 7/2/2009 Your suggestions are great! Kids seem to hate brushing their teeth, but your way of teaching them may help them see it differently! 5*