After two years of holding of brushing your toddler’s teeth, now is the perfect time to pass on the responsibility. It is time to pass the brush off to your child. For many parents, this is a new and exciting experience. This moment does leave many parents asking about tips for teaching a toddler how to brush their teeth. Today, we are going to go over seven amazing tips to make this fun for both parent and child!
It is important to teach toddlers how to brush their teeth properly, as poor oral hygiene can lead to cavities and other health concerns. Thankfully, your child will already be familiar with the process.
Tips for teaching a toddler how to brush their teeth
Since this is an everyday experience, it can be made fun and exciting for them to take this new step in life. A Family Dentistry in London encourages parents to visit their local dentist with their toddler. Having a dentist explain the importance of oral hygiene to your child will go a long way. Check out this article to help with finding the right dentist for your child with special needs.
Below are seven great tips for teaching a toddler how to brush their teeth. These fantastic tips will set you and your child up for dental success!
1. Let them choose their supplies.
Let your toddler choose their toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. A toothbrush with a colorful character may make a huge difference in motivating a child to brush their teeth. Some toothpaste comes in a variety of fruity flavors. Most toothpaste brands offer a range of characters on the tube.
2. Play “Follow the Leader”
Make brushing fun by playing follow the leader, as children learn best by imitation. Brush together with your child in front of the mirror, having them copy your actions. Brushing together helps make it a part of your child’s daily routine. They will learn all the crucial aspects of cleaning their teeth while having a great bonding moment with you.
3. Make the sink accessible
When it comes to tips for teaching a toddler how to brush their teeth, having a proper setup for brushing is key to success. Make your sink accessible by placing needed items within their reach. You can also purchase a step stool so they can reach and see the mirror. Knowing they can do the process on their own will allow them to embrace their newfound independence.
4. Add a fun song
Make daily toothbrushing less like a chore by adding a fun song every time your kids brush their teeth. Doing this makes teeth cleaning an exciting time. Use a familiar children song like “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream,” for the tune. Change the words to “Brush, brush, brush your teeth, every single day.”
5. Take turns
When it comes to tips for teaching a toddler how to brush their teeth, taking turns can go a long way. As your child learns to brush their teeth, it will be a little while before they can clean their teeth properly every time. Take turns by letting them clean in the morning, and you brush at night. That way, you are making sure to remove all the day’s food and germs before bedtime.
6. Have the Right Tools
Having the right tools goes a long way in successful oral hygiene. Dentists recommend brushing for a minimum of two minutes, no matter the type of toothbrush. Having a visual timer will help them meet this mark. There are also toothbrushes available that have built-in timers. These brushes even pause every thirty seconds so they know when to change quadrants.
7. Find the right dentist
Taking your child to a dentist is crucial for their oral health. Find a child-friendly dentist with extensive experience in pediatric dentistry. Getting a thumbs up from them does not only increase their confidence, but it also helps reduce their anxiety during their regular dental checkups. If you are looking for a child-friendly dental clinic, check out LambtonFamilyDental.com.
Tips for teaching a Toddler How to Brush Their Teeth
Positive reinforcements such as “good job” and “you are doing great,” are an effective way to build your toddler’s self-confidence and esteem. Being encouraging can make them feel empowered and make them want to do it again. These tips for teaching a toddler how to brush their teeth will get your child brushing in no time!
Thank you for your suggestion to add a fun song to make it less of a chore. I’ve been trying to get some advice for brushing teeth so my daughter can learn and develop the habit. I think that making it fun can actually make her look forward to doing it.