Brushing and Flossing
Our dentists recommend brushing twice a day and flossing once a day as soon as your child’s teeth begin to touch—this is usually around the age of five or six. If your family struggles to stick to routines and often forgets to brush or floss, you might consider setting timers to remind your children about brushing times.
Toothbrushes and Other Tools
Did you know that you should be changing your family’s toothbrushes every three months? We also recommend getting new toothbrushes after a family member has been sick or when you begin to notice wear and tear on the toothbrush. If your family uses electronic toothbrushes, all you need to do is pop the old head off and replace it with a new one.
We also recommend putting together a travel kit that your children can keep in their backpacks or sports bags in case they ever need to brush or floss when they aren’t at home. It doesn’t take much to put these together—just a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a few floss picks. Most retailers carry travel-sized toothbrushes that fold in half, which can be essential when you’re fighting for backpack space.
Choosing the Right Toothbrush for Your Child
When picking out a new toothbrush for your child, there are a few factors to consider. First of all, it’s important to make sure that the toothbrush is recommended for their age group. A toothbrush recommended for a six-year-old will likely be too big to effectively brush a three-year-old’s teeth, so it’s imperative to check the package for age recommendations before buying the toothbrush.
If your child struggles with brushing their teeth and needs a bit of incentivizing, you can try getting a toothbrush they’ll be excited about. Something as simple as their favorite color or a toothbrush with their favorite character on it has the potential to transform their brushing routine!
Find More Resources
For more educational videos and resources that can help keep your child’s smile happy and healthy, check out our YouTube Channel! Make sure you subscribe and click the bell to receive notifications when we drop our latest videos!
