Oral Care for Kids

We all know that brushing teeth is important from an early age; however, many kids don’t particularly like or remember doing it regularly. So it’s parents’ responsibility to teach their children how to brush their teeth properly and help make it into a life-long habit.

There are many reasons why brushing teeth is crucial, and the obvious one is to keep healthy teeth and avoid cavities or gum diseases. Teeth play an important role in keeping our jaw straight, help us chew food, talk and provide confidence when we smile or interact with others. It’s needless to say that it is vital for kids to establish the habit of brushing their teeth as early as possible.

Many parents wonder when they should start brushing their child’s teeth. The answer is when your child has teeth which touch one another (where food might get stuck). Make sure to start with a softer and smaller toothbrush. It is fine to begin brushing with water only, but as your child grows more teeth, you can introduce a baby-friendly toothpaste.

Toddlers, two years and up, should brush their teeth twice a day under their parent’s supervision, of course. Parents should also help at the end, as toddlers often cannot perform proper cleaning themselves.

Many kids refuse to brush their teeth, so this is where parents need to get creative during the process. Introduce games, use fun-shaped or bright toothbrushes or create reward charts to encourage kids’ interest and motivation! One of the most important things here though is to set an example and brush your teeth with your child. Being a role model is vital for them to understand that if mummy and daddy do it
as well, they should do it too.

Children between the ages of 5 and 7 look to be capable of brushing their teeth, and by all means, parents should encourage it. However, it is still suggested that parents help clean up at the end. Once children turn 7 years old, their fine-motor skills should be developed enough to brush their teeth independently, as long as they know how to do it.

This is often overlooked, but teaching proper brushing techniques and getting kids to understand how to brush their teeth is essential. So parents need to educate their children about the right way of brushing their teeth from a very early age.

Make sure to be enthusiastic about brushing your teeth and encourage your child to enjoy the process. Whether it’s because of their favourite flavoured toothpaste or fun family time of doing it together, it’s vital to prioritise teeth hygiene. Hopefully, You can avoid painful moments at the dentist with large bills or simply poor health into your adult years.