Tips for Brushing with Your 4- to 6-Year-Old

By now, your children will want to brush their teeth all on their own, which is great. However, at this age most children don't quite have the coordination or patience to do the job right, so you'll need to supervise brushing until they're at least 6. You can help minimize swallowing, make sure they've brushed for 2 full minutes, and finish off any spot they may have missed.

Here are some tips for brushing with your 4- to 6-year-olds:

• Teach them to clean each tooth with a gentle circular motion, starting at one end of each row and cleaning all the way to the other end.
• Gums are important, too. Make sure your children use a circular motion that includes the gum line where plaque can build up.
• They should clean all surfaces of their teeth: front, back and tops.
• A gentle scrub is enough - brushing too hard can damage little gums.
• Only use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste such as Aquafresh Bubble Fresh Toothpaste.
• Brush for 2 minutes, twice a day. Two minutes can feel like a long time to kids, so get them to time themselves if necessary.
• When your children are finished brushing, you should brush the spots they tend to miss (think backs of teeth and the inside surfaces).
• After brushing, your children should spit out but not rinse with water. That way, the fluoride can continue to protect their teeth.

Using a brush like one of the Aquafresh Kids Toothbrushes that has been specifically designed for children helps make effective brushing much easier - for them and for you. The soft bristles and flexible neck ensure that those enthusiastic little hands do not damage the teeth and gums. The handle gives a comfortable grip and the suction feet make storage easy.

Children have a wondrous ability to really run with something once they understand it. It's all part of the magical experience of learning and growing. Taking care of their own teeth is one of these things. Once they understand that it's important and why it's important, they'll be checking up on your brushing routine!