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Many parents feel it’s tough to teach their children how to brush and floss their teeth. After all, little fingers and hands may not be dexterous enough to brush correctly, let alone be able to maneuver well in their mouth in order to floss.

The “secrets” to teaching children how to brush and floss should be kept secret: spread the word!

But you’d be surprised how well young children can brush and even floss when they start at an early age and when shown the proper methods.

Read below for tips on how to teach your children how to brush and floss their teeth.

• Many parents wonder when they should start brushing their baby’s or child’s teeth. The answer is: as soon as the first tooth appears! Once your child reaches toddlerhood, parents should continue to brush and floss their child’s teeth, but make sure the child watches. It’s also best if you explain every now and then (often enough that your child starts to perhaps mimic you) about how to brush and why it’s important to do so.
• Start flossing a baby’s/toddler’s teeth when two teeth appear next to each other.
• Unless your dentist or pediatrician recommends against it, always use fluoride toothpaste.
• If you’ve been brushing and flossing your child’s teeth regularly for years, don’t be surprised if your pre-schooler/kindergartner or even older toddler one day insists on doing it him- or herself. Let the child try and give pointers. Always supervise until your child is between the ages of 6-8.
• If your child has a hard time maneuvering floss around and between his or her teeth, consider using flossing sticks. These can help children slide the floss back and forth between teeth easily, without the need to wrap long strands of floss around fingers.
• Model good oral hygiene habits yourself. Always brush and floss your teeth. Make sure your children know you do so.
• In fact, to truly help your children get in the habit, brush and floss with your children together. Make it a fun, family ritual before your children’s bedtime. (This has the added benefit of helping to ensure that you brush/floss yourself; if your children go to bed at 8, you can’t make the excuse that you’re “too tired” to perform this important health routine when you go to bed at 11.)

The primary “secret” to making sure your children practice brushing/flossing regularly, Starting early and modeling regular brushing/flossing yourself. (Ok, that’s two secrets, but who’s to quibble?) Practice these two habits yourself and you’re helping ensure that your children create a strong foundation for this important habit, making it more likely that they follow through on their own for the rest of their lives.

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