Best Tips to Teach Toddlers to Brush Teeth

When your little one turns about two years old, it is the right time when to teach him to brush his teeth himself. We believe that you have cleaned the first pearly whites from the very beginning and welcomed each new one with great respect. Now it is your child's turn to join this everyday routine and take care of the mouth. 

So, what to start from and what to avoid? How to teach your kid to brush teeth?

Start it As Soon As You Can

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry assures that it is better to start with a toothbrush and water in the mouth at birth. When the first tooth is about to spring up, you just add a tiny smear of a kid-friendly toothpaste to build on the progress made so far. So, when the kids start learning to brush their teeth themselves, they already know the main rules and brush movements.

Leave the Choice to Your Toddler

Kids love to feel that they are adult-like and important. They feel older when they are responsible for making choices, even if it is a little choice of toothpaste for a toddler. Start the brushing ritual by choosing the most appealing toothbrush for your kid. The modern industry offers lots of brush designs and different brushing gadgets. The best remineralizing toothpaste with various kid-preferable tastes would be the next step to make. 

Teaching Toddlers to Brush Their Teeth Should be a Routine

Everyday routine makes us feel secure, especially when it comes to toddlers. Little ones should think that brushing teeth and mouthwash is a usual procedure, and there is no way to skip it. The fastest way to develop dental habits is to repeat them daily at the same time. You should not skip this ritual even if you feel lazy in the morning or tired in the evening. If your smart little one gets even the smallest hint that it is not obligatory, you will fail as a teacher.

Mirror the Family

Make it family time. Toddlers are fond of pretending to be adults, so they will copy whatever you do. Gather all family members in the bathroom, brush teeth and tongue, and explain to your little one all the steps you do. If you are not a fan of brushing, never show it to your kid. Pretend that it is the best process you ever made. Even dental routines can be fun and educating. You can dance together, set a timer for brushing, or watch the funny video in the process. Kids are great visual learners, so educating video can also be in hand.

Use a Timer

It is impossible to gauge when two minutes pass, even for an adult. That is why the old-fashioned timer is the win-win possibility to learn something about time as well. Let your toddler interact with a mobile application for brushing. It may teach how to brush teeth with an electric toothbrush, control the brushing progress and reward the winners.

Think about Motivation

A reward system is a curious strategy to make your kid a real brushing fan. Make it an exciting competition among the family members, create the event table, and give rewards to the winners. You can use your mobile phone to control the process or DIY a paper timetable that may be even more interesting to create together. Think about adding colorful stickers and make the competition fun and exciting. The prizes can differ from the kid’s preferences. Many parents agree that it is better to reward by some activities, than by material things. You can read the book with the winner at night, or go to a skate park at the weekend. 

Make it Comfortable

The brushing process should be safe and comfortable for toddlers. Once your kids can hold the brush, provide the safe stool to be at the proper height and to observe the brushing in the mirror face-to-face. Using the mirror will encourage the toddler and help to make more precise movements. Be sure that the child-sized toothbrush and the toothpaste are appropriate to the age of the kid. 

Conclusion

Teaching your toddlers brushing can be a wonderful time that will be with you forever. You will train important healthy habits and have family time. We hope our tips will be useful and the kid will develop this important skill easily and very fast. Just add some love and patience, and it will work.

Happy brushing, and stay safe!