Helping your kids learn to brush their teeth
Brushing teeth is an important lesson for kids to learn. Making sure their teeth start strong and stay healthy throughout their life. The trick is to make brushing feel like a fun thing everyone can do.
Creating good brushing habits
The brushing basics are the same for adults as well as kids, so it is easy for them to follow you and learn good toothcare habits.
- As always, it starts with a regular brushing routine. Twice a day, morning and night, for at least two minutes. Plus, once-a-day clean between each tooth with an interdental brush or floss to help dislodge any lingering food or plaque.
- While they’re young, sit them on your lap to help them brush. Making sure to show them all the areas you’re getting to. Then once they’re ready to give it a go, try brushing along with them, checking they have done a proper clean until they have it mastered.
- Under threes should only use a smear of children’s fluoride toothpaste. Then once they’re older and have more to brush, they can move to a pea-sized amount. Kids’ toothpastes can have nice flavours, so make sure they always spit out after each brush.
Try making brushing feel fun
When brushing feels fun, it’s easier for your child to think of it as part of their day. Challenge them to brush for a full two minutes without stopping to help make it feel more natural. Or brush along with them and have a staring contest at the same time. As long as they’re getting in a full and thorough brush, you can be as creative as you like.
To make sure they’ve brushed properly, ask them to smile like a monkey when you check their teeth. Or maybe pretend they’re a crocodile or fierce tiger, which both need big open mouths.
Milk teeth falling out when the permanent teeth are coming through is also a natural part of growing up, which might seem confusing to your child. If you need help explaining everything is ok, it could be time for the tooth fairy to pay a visit.
Brush along with our free app
It’s important to get kids used to brushing as soon as you can. Helping it become a habit that lasts a lifetime. And here to help, is the free Aquafresh Brush Time app. Making brush time, fun time.
Captain Aquafresh and the Nurdles sing and dance on screen, while your little one brushes their mouth clean. With a catchy song, points to collect, brushing tips and a two-minute timer that counts down. Helping them learn the importance of a good daily brush.
Brushing our teeth should be a natural part of life. And introducing fun into brushing is a simple way to get your little ones excited about toothcare. After all, we only get one set of adult teeth.
