Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most important things you can do to protect your oral health. But did you know that it’s also one of the easiest ways to help your children develop good habits?
Here are four easy tooth brushing tips for you and your kids:
Get them started early. The more often they brush, the better they’ll get at it — plus, the sooner they get into good habits, the longer those habits will last. That means less cavities and less plaque buildup in their mouths.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. It’s gentler on gums and teeth, especially when you first introduce brushing. When choosing a brush, select one with soft bristles that fit comfortably in your mouth and isn't too large or small. For children under age 3, look for a brush with larger handles; for older children, opt for one with smaller handles and advanced features such as timers that play fun music when it's time to switch sides of the mouth or colors that signal it's time.
Brush for about two minutes at least twice a day, preferably after every meal or snack (and before bed). Make sure to brush all sides of each tooth from top to bottom — and don’t forget those back teeth! Your dentist will also show you how best to clean around braces and other dental work.
Don't forget flossing! It’s just as important as brushing because it gets between tight teeth where even soft bristles can’t reach. Floss once a day with regular floss. Floss between your teeth once a day to get rid of plaque and food particles that brushing can miss because of their size or location in between teeth; this helps prevent cavities from forming between them too!
