Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100
When should your kid’s start brushing their own teeth?
You should definitely be helping your child brush his/her teeth until he/she turns about seven or eight years old. Up until that point, little kids simply don’t have the dexterity to reach every tooth properly. A rule of thumb to follow: if your child can’t write in cursive, then he/she can’t brush their own teeth.
While you should be brushing your child’s teeth until he/she reaches age seven or eight, keep in mind that they do need to practice in order to learn the proper techniques. So, take turns! Let your child brush first and then you go in and do another round, or vice versa.
A second rule of thumb about brushing is you should brush for no less than two minutes; one minute on the top and one minute on the bottom, minimum. Turn the timing into a game! Play a song, tell a story or go on a “germ” hunt with a timer set. You can come up with some pretty creative ideas to keep your child interested in brushing for two minutes!
Don’t forget about flossing! Although it can be tough to get your child to stand still for it, it’s the only way to slough off the plaque that accumulates between teeth and below the gums, where a toothbrush can’t reach.
For more information, visit PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com.
Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step on the road to teaching your child healthy lifetime habits.
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