Getting your child to brush their teeth daily can feel as difficult as pulling teeth sometimes! 

Any pediatric dentist in Calgary is all-too-familiar with this issue that parents have. Thankfully, there are ways for parents to encourage their kids to brush their teeth without fuss.

When you thoroughly understand why your kids need to brush their teeth daily, you can easily communicate it so that your children can understand and make it easier to have them brush those pearly whites! 

Best Age to Start Brushing

A common question from parents is this: “What should my child start brushing?” Many parents would be surprised to know it’s after seeing their first tooth! A child’s first tooth will typically appear when they’re still an infant at around six months old. 

You will be responsible for maintaining their oral health as an infant until they’re around three years old. According to Alberta Health, children should be brushing their own teeth every morning and night by age 4. Parents should gradually introduce fluoride to their brushing routine as they supervise and check their kids’ brushing for proper cleaning. 

Once they’re eight years old, they should be able to brush on their own without your help and supervision. 

Why Kids’ Oral Health Matters

The fundamental importance of having your kids brush their teeth daily is to help instill it as a healthy habit. Practicing good oral care early every day can help prevent your kids from developing any future tooth decay-like cavities.

Children and adults alike can grow habits through consistency, which easily applies to teaching your child to brush their teeth. When you introduce good oral care daily to your kids early, they can effectively integrate it into their daily morning and evening routine. 

How to Get the Kids into Brushing

Kids are incredibly impressionable and easily emulate their parents. If your child sees you don’t brush, it will be harder to convince them that brushing is important. From a child’s perspective, they think: “If mom and dad don’t brush, why do I have to do so?” So, set an example by brushing your teeth daily as well!

Additionally, you can find fun, creative ways to help get your little ones to brush their teeth every day. 

Here are a few suggestions:

• Simply brushing together (i.e. copying you)
• Make a game out of it (i.e. brushing all teeth properly at a set time)
• Positive affirmations after brushing
• Watch an engaging video on oral health and brushing
• Have a reward system after brushing 

These are just a few ways to motivate your kids to brush their teeth daily. You know your child best about what they might find fun. So, try to appeal to them in this way that helps to encourage consistent oral care for them every day. 

Visiting a dentist shouldn’t be a scary experience for children, and Happy Trails Children’s Dentistry is here to make sure that children feel safe and excited about their regular checkups. Happy Trails is a professional pediatric dentistry proudly serving south Calgary, and we have a goal of creating an inviting and comfortable space for children to receive the best care available. With our fantastic dentist, Dr. Sam, our young patients in Calgary will always have a positive dental experience!