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Tooth-brushing Methods for Children

Getting your child to brush his teeth can be a struggle, but it's essential that you teach him proper dental hygiene. If taking care of his teeth becomes a habit when he's young, it will be easier for him to continue this habit as he gets older. A child should brush his teeth at least twice a day, but brushing after each meal is even better.

  1. Choosing a Toothbrush

    • Making tooth-brushing seem like fun is key to getting children to do it regularly, and the wide variety of children's brushes and toothpastes available makes this easy. Take each child on a special trip to the grocery store to pick out a new brush. Let her choose the brush with whatever cartoon character or color she likes. A vibrating brush may also appeal to her. Pick out a new tube of flavored toothpaste as well. Once you're home, let the child try out her new things. Whenever it's time to brush, remind her of the cool brush and tasty paste she has.

    Sing a Song

    • Children may find brushing their teeth boring and stop before they've done a thorough job. Music keeps them entertained while they brush and tells them when they've brushed enough. Make up your own song about tooth-brushing and record yourself singing it, or let your child choose his favorite tune. Burn a 30-second snippet of the song onto a CD, since children should brush for at least that long. Put a CD player in the bathroom so the child can listen to the tune the entire time he's brushing.

    Make Up a Story

    • Making up a story about tooth-brushing ensures that the child remembers how to brush properly. Ask the child to name her toothbrush and help you create a story about what the toothbrush does inside her mouth. For instance, "First the Fairy Toothbrush ran back and forth five times across the front of the big white teeth, then she climbed over the teeth and ran back and forth five times on the back." Whenever the child brushes, she can think about the story to make sure she reaches every part of the mouth.

    Use Science

    • It's one thing to tell children about the plaque that builds up on their teeth, but it's more effective to show them. Put a bit of water in a paper cup and add a few drops of red food coloring. Ask the child to swish it around in his mouth and spit it out. He should be able to see red spots where the dye stuck to his plaque. After he brushes, repeat the experiment so he can see how much he swept away.

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