From the time a baby's first teeth emerge around six months of age, new parents take on toothbrushing duties and start establishing the child's dental care practices. Once they’re mature and coordinated enough to handle the brush themselves, it's time to let them tackle this crucial task on their own. Discover a few tips for teaching your child how to brush their teeth below.

How to Teach a Child to Brush Their Own Teeth

1. Get Them Interested in Brushing

Toothbrushing may not be your child's favorite thing to do, even when you're doing it for them, so make the habit as fun as possible. Let them pick out their own toothbrush at the store; a colorful brush or one adorned with a favorite animated character can go a long way in keeping the child interested.

Also, let them choose a fluoridated toothpaste in a kid-friendly flavor, such as strawberry or bubblegum. Only use an amount the size of a grain of rice for kids younger than age 3 and a pea size for 3 to 6-year-olds.

2. Set a Timer for Two Minutes

At first, it may be a challenge just to get your child to focus enough for a few seconds of brushing. That's perfectly fine in the beginning, as brushing brings a whole world of new sensations and tastes.

But gradually build up to at least two minutes of brushing; this is the amount of time recommended by most dental care providers for effective teeth cleaning. Put an egg timer in the bathroom, set it for two minutes, and have your child get used to brushing until it rings.

3. Demonstrate Proper Form

The first several times they brush, you’ll likely need to provide a refresher on proper form. Be patient, put the brush in the child's hand, and show them how to position the bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline. Demonstrate the gentle, back and forth motions and short strokes of the brush head. Position the brush vertically when it comes time to get the back of the teeth, and lightly scrub the tongue to remove bacteria.

Regular visits with a dentist should be an integral part of your child's oral health practices in addition to at-home dental care. Pedodontic Associates has offered pediatric dentistry services to Oahu and Maui for over 25 years. Their kids' dentists are focused on the prevention, early detection, and successful treatment of dental issues and diseases. To schedule an appointment, call their Kahului location at (808) 877-0066, Aiea at (808) 487-7933, or Honolulu at (808) 735-1733. You can also visit their website to learn what to expect during your child’s first appointment.