Printable Version Email to a Friend

Start the brushing and flossing habit early, and your child will be on the way to a lifetime of good dental hygiene.

Description:
You can begin teaching your child about brushing and flossing when he or she is around two years old. Let him or her practice, then give a thorough brushing to your child's teeth yourself. Children aren't able to brush their own teeth effectively until they are about six years old. The main objective is to get kids into the habit of brushing and flossing so that it becomes part of their daily hygiene routine.

Step by Step:

1. After every meal (and snack, if possible), head off to the bathroom for some Mommy and Me toothbrushing.
2. Place a pea-sized blob of toothpaste on your toothbrush, and then help your child to put the same on his or her brush.
3. Demonstrate on your own mouth how to place the toothbrush on each tooth, both front and back, while brushing. Now encourage your child to mimic your actions.
4. Explain to your child that he or she must spit out the toothpaste, and not swallow it.
5. Let your child brush your teeth.
6. Brush your child?s teeth thoroughly.
7. Show your child how to rinse out his or her mouth, rinse off the toothbrush, and wipe his or her mouth with a towel.
8. Tear off a 12-inch length of dental floss.
9. Help your child to wrap each end of the floss around your middle fingers.
10. Gently push the floss between your child?s teeth. Never snap the floss onto the gums.
11. Have your child rinse out his or her mouth to dispose of any particles you have loosened.

Materials:
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Dental floss
A cup of water for rinsing
Patience

There are no related content.

There are no comments yet. Be the first!