{"id":754,"date":"2019-06-12T11:44:23","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T18:44:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/?p=754"},"modified":"2025-10-13T08:38:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T15:38:07","slug":"help-kids-brush-their-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/help-kids-brush-their-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can I Help My Kids Brush Their Teeth?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You know it\u2019s time to start thinking about brushing for your kids once the baby teeth arrive. Getting them to brush can be tough; however, there are ways to get them to brush regularly. Try these methods to help your little ones relax and take to brushing. Start now and let your kids learn the importance of taking care of their teeth from an early age. They\u2019ll thank you for it.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Start early <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 It\u2019s never too early to start teaching your kids good oral hygiene. Start teaching how to brush for themselves before the baby teeth come in. Wipe your baby\u2019s gums with a soft, damp cloth, then switch to a toothbrush after the first baby teeth show (by around six months old). Once the teeth start touching, add flossing to the list. By the baby\u2019s first birthday, make an appointment with your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lambtonfamilydental.com\/family-dentistry\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">family dentist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get started on the road to good dental health.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Be a good example yourself <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Children take after their parents. If you want your kids to pick up the habit of brushing and flossing, set an example for them to follow. Make sure your little ones see you brush and floss every day to impress on them how important proper brushing is. Encourage your little one to watch closely and copy your moves, so they know how it\u2019s done.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-756 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/An-electric-toothbrush-can-help-kids-clean-hard-to-reach-area.jpg\" alt=\"electric toothbrush can help kids clean hard-to-reach areas\" width=\"1500\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/An-electric-toothbrush-can-help-kids-clean-hard-to-reach-area.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/An-electric-toothbrush-can-help-kids-clean-hard-to-reach-area-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/An-electric-toothbrush-can-help-kids-clean-hard-to-reach-area-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/An-electric-toothbrush-can-help-kids-clean-hard-to-reach-area-1024x614.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Try a new toothbrush <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 It may not seem like a big deal, but a new toothbrush can be a novelty for your little one. Many companies make <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oralb.ca\/en-ca\/products\/kids\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">kids\u2019 toothbrushes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> designed to appeal to kids. Take your child with you to find a new toothbrush, maybe something featuring a favourite character that can encourage brushing. Bringing your little one with you also makes them more invested in \u201ctheir\u201d toothbrush, which can help with cultivating the habit.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electric toothbrushes can be a good way to get kids\u2019 mouths clean. Children might not have the dexterity to get all the spots on teeth. An electric toothbrush provides more cleaning power and reaches the hard-to-reach places easily. Plus, some kids like the whirring motion as the brush cleans.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Employ rewards <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Incentives are generally a great way to get your kids to do things. Create a reward system for your kids to help them learn to like brushing. Kids are usually more motivated by fun than dental hygiene. Offer rewards they\u2019ll want, like staying up a few minutes before bedtime or picking the next movie for movie night.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One easy system you can use is keeping a sticker calendar. Give a gold star (or something similar) for each night your child brushes their teeth properly. After they get enough stars, they\u2019re entitled to a treat. Tailor your rewards to your little one\u2019s preferences to make the prize more fun. Offer plenty of praise after brushing to add further encouragement for next time.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Combine with a favourite show <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Take advantage of your little one\u2019s favourite show to help encourage them to brush. Use the show as a reward and let them watch only after they\u2019ve brushed. You can also use the show as a distraction in case of a resistant child. Let them watch their show while you brush their teeth. Watching as you brush can help them relax while you do the cleaning. After some time, your little one will get used to the routine, and they can join you in brushing on their own.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-761 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Turn-brushing-into-a-game-to-make-it-fun.jpg\" alt=\"Turn brushing into a game to make it fun\" width=\"1500\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Turn-brushing-into-a-game-to-make-it-fun.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Turn-brushing-into-a-game-to-make-it-fun-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Turn-brushing-into-a-game-to-make-it-fun-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Turn-brushing-into-a-game-to-make-it-fun-1024x614.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Make it a game <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 One helpful trick is to make toothbrushing a game. Children like having fun, and mixing it with brushing can make it easier for the habit to stick while they\u2019re young.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, tell your kids that there are \u201csugar bugs\u201d attacking the teeth and that the only way to defeat them is to use a toothbrush and toothpaste. You can even make the game more real by tying a cape around your little one to make them feel like a superhero. There are plenty of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.colgate.com\/en-us\/oral-health\/life-stages\/childrens-oral-care\/the-best-teeth-games-for-kids-0714\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">teeth games<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> out there you can use to help your little ones. For best results, make a game that appeals to your child\u2019s likes. A more personal game can be more effective at grabbing their attention. Besides, your little one will likely thank you for making brushing a more memorable experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-757 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Look-for-toothpaste-your-kids-will-like.jpg\" alt=\"Look for toothpaste your kids will like\" width=\"1500\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Look-for-toothpaste-your-kids-will-like.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Look-for-toothpaste-your-kids-will-like-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Look-for-toothpaste-your-kids-will-like-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Look-for-toothpaste-your-kids-will-like-1024x614.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Use tasty toothpaste <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 For many kids, toothpaste is the biggest hurdle to proper brushing habits. Remedy that problem by buying toothpaste specifically tailored for children. If your kids aren\u2019t used to the taste of toothpaste, get another type they might like more. Try different flavours until you find something that clicks. The same flavour can differ between brands, so keep trying until you get something that works for your little one. Let your children come along with you when you buy new toothpaste. Having some agency in what toothpaste to purchase can help them take to brushing more easily.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-758 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Play-soothing-music-for-your-child.jpg\" alt=\"Play soothing music for your child\" width=\"1500\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Play-soothing-music-for-your-child.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Play-soothing-music-for-your-child-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Play-soothing-music-for-your-child-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Play-soothing-music-for-your-child-1024x614.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">d that also goes for your kids. One easy way of setting a timer is using music. Playing one of your little one\u2019s favourite songs is a good way to make brushing a more pleasant daily ritual. Pick a two-minute long song to help them brush for as long as needed.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try a musical toothbrush. These toothbrushes play music or flash colourful lights for two minutes. Your little one can start brushing when the music plays and stop when the song does. Try this idea to give your child more responsibility and help them take charge of their brushing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-762 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Use-stories-to-make-brushing-more-relatable.jpg\" alt=\"Use stories to make brushing more relatable\" width=\"1500\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Use-stories-to-make-brushing-more-relatable.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Use-stories-to-make-brushing-more-relatable-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Use-stories-to-make-brushing-more-relatable-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Use-stories-to-make-brushing-more-relatable-1024x614.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tell a story <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Stories are usually a great way to teach children how to do things. Kids find them a relatable way to understand fundamental concepts, like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lambtonfamilydental.com\/education\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dental education<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Use age-appropriate books to get your little ones to appreciate how vital brushing is (especially for reluctant brushers). Alternatively, you can make up your own story. For example, tell your kids there are animals in their mouths they need to chase with the toothbrush. Start the \u201cchase\u201d yourself, then let your children finish the job themselves.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Get the whole family involved <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 Families that do things together tend to stay together. Make brushing the teeth a family affair to make it a more fun activity for your kids, especially if you have very young ones. Do this when you have kids too young to brush on their own. Let your kids practice brushing on you or on younger siblings to get the hang of it in a controlled environment. Think of this method as a way to introduce your children to the routine of brushing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to teaching your kids valuable life skills, practical teaching is usually a good idea. Give your little ones a chance to get hands-on with brushing to help them relax and get used to it. It\u2019s vital you make brushing a routine affair to familiarize them with brushing twice a day. A good foundation is key to helping children form good habits; start when your kids are young so they can get a head start on learning to care for their teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you need a family dentist in Sarnia to help with your little ones\u2019 dental problems, give Lambton Family Dental a visit. We offer quality care for everyone in the family (from toddlers to seniors). Our team provides patients with preventive care to avoid issues in the first place. Contact us at (519) 344-5747 to make an appointment.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You know it\u2019s time to start thinking about brushing for your kids once the baby teeth arrive. Getting them to &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":760,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=754"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/754\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2141,"href":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/754\/revisions\/2141"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/760"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=754"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lambtonfamilydental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}