25 Apr Why Good Brushing Habits Are So Important for Kids
With any luck, forming good habits early on will keep your kids’ teeth healthy for life. Good brushing habits help prevent cavities, gingivitis, and other painful dental problems that could interfere with their learning and development. But how do you get your kid to brush their teeth? Our dentists share a few expert tips below.
Good Habits Help Prevent Cavities and Gingivitis
Unfortunately, most of the foods kids like best are bad for their teeth. And since kids don’t always have the best brushing habits, they can quickly develop dental problems. Gingivitis is becoming more common in kids, and it can be a major contributor to tooth decay.
It’s not just their permanent teeth you have to worry about. Kids can get cavities in their baby teeth, too. In fact, because the enamel on the baby teeth is thinner, cavities are likely. As many as 23% of kids aged 2 – 5 have cavities in their primary teeth.
The pain from tooth decay can interfere with their diet, their speech development, and their learning ability. It can even affect the development of their permanent teeth, causing problems like malformations and discoloration.
How to Help Your Kids Develop Good Brushing Habits
Lead By Example
One of the best ways to make sure that your kids develop good brushing habits is to brush your teeth together. If you’re a new parent who maybe didn’t have the best habits and would tend to skip brushing or flossing occasionally, this will be good for you, too!
Teach Proper Techniques
Teaching toddlers how to brush their own teeth takes some time. They might not want your help at first, so you have to be patient. Show them how to hold the toothbrush, how to move it in circles, how to brush the left, right, front and back, and how to spit. If you notice that your older kid has bad breath, it’s probably a sign that they aren’t brushing thoroughly. They may need a little supervision to make sure they’re doing it right.
Explain Why It’s Important
As a parent, you probably know that every kid’s favorite question is “Why?” Indulge that curiosity and explain some of the reasons why it’s important for them to brush their teeth. If you need a little help, there are lots of great books and videos that teach the importance of good dental hygiene. And of course, our dentists will be happy to answer all of your kid’s questions at their next exam.
Find a Fun Flavor
Kids aren’t usually big fans of mint. Kid-friendly flavors like strawberry or bubblegum will make them more inclined to brush. If you’re worried about them eating their toothpaste, you can use a fluoride-free formula. Just remember to consult their dentist before you make a switch. They may need to get fluoride treatments at their next checkup, or other treatments like dental sealants to help prevent cavities.
Make It Part of a Routine
If you can help your kids associate brushing their teeth with another activity they enjoy, soon it will become a regular part of their daily routine. For example, you can make it part of the bedtime routine: “After you brush your teeth, we’ll have story time.” Or add it into the morning routine: “After you brush your teeth, you can pick out a snack to bring to school.”
Sometimes a kid just straight up refuses to brush their teeth, and when that happens, don’t force them. It’s okay to skip it once in a while. The important thing is to make brushing a positive experience, and not a chore that they dread.
Holistic Dental Care for Kids in Prescott, Arizona
As holistic dentists, prevention is our motto. We always want to help kids prevent cavities and gum disease, so they can grow up with healthy teeth. We’re always happy to offer dental tips to parents who want their kids to have healthy teeth. And if you have any concerns about dental treatments or products, like the safety of fluoride for kids, please let us know. We can help you find the most natural, most effective alternatives.
Schedule a dental exam for your kids today! Fill out our contact form to make an appointment, or give us a call at 928-445-1660.
Photo by Jose Ibarra on Unsplash used with permission under the creative commons license for commercial use 4/7/25.