{"id":154,"date":"2023-08-24T16:27:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T16:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=154"},"modified":"2023-09-29T04:28:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T04:28:28","slug":"how-to-help-your-child-brush-their-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/2023\/08\/24\/how-to-help-your-child-brush-their-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Help a Child Brush Their Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_483968798__1695961469_28290.jpg\" alt=\"A happy child brushing their teeth\" class=\"wp-image-155\" style=\"width:294px;height:196px\" width=\"294\" height=\"196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_483968798__1695961469_28290.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_483968798__1695961469_28290-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/AdobeStock_483968798__1695961469_28290-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 294px) 100vw, 294px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>When they were babies, you likely brushed your kids\u2019 teeth for them. That\u2019s only natural \u2013 infants can\u2019t handle the task themselves. However, things change as your little ones grow up. It\u2019s best if they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/preventive-dentistry.html\">brush on their own<\/a> once they\u2019re old enough. Luckily, your Willow Park pediatric dentist is here to make the transition easier. To that end, here are four great ways you might help your child brush their teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Educate Them on Why Brushing Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want kids to brush their teeth, they\u2019ll need to know why brushing matters. (The \u201cbecause I say so\u201d approach usually doesn\u2019t work.) So, try your best to explain its value to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In particular, use simple terms to explain what happens if they don\u2019t brush. Their baby teeth will likely get painful cavities as plaque builds up. Worse yet, their gums could get infected and suffer unpleasant bleeding and swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once they know about the alternatives, most kids will willingly brush twice daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Show Them Proper Brushing Technique<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can\u2019t expect a child to brush if they don\u2019t know how. That being the case, take time to show proper brushing techniques to your kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To keep things easy, just review the basic rules of the habit. For example, show your kiddos how to use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. You can also exaggerate your movements to emphasize thorough cleaning. In fact, let them see you spit your toothpaste to signal that they shouldn\u2019t swallow it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When kids see you brush your teeth this way, they\u2019ll pick up on how to brush their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Let Them Choose Their Own Toothbrush<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter the age, no one likes being told what to do. So, it\u2019d help to give your kids an active role in their brushing routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One good method to try is to let them pick their toothbrush. For instance, they might choose one with their favorite cartoon character. You could also encourage your little one to find a brush with a colorful pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By involving your little ones in this process, they\u2019ll feel more engaged when they start brushing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Turn Brushing into a Game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Kids don\u2019t like chores, so don\u2019t frame brushing that way to them. Instead, make it into something exciting by using games or music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are various ways you could go about this step. One is to play your child\u2019s favorite tune so they\u2019ll brush for the recommended time. Alternatively, you could set a timer and let them race to see who can remove the most \u201csugar bugs.\u201d Either way, you\u2019d make brushing fun and get kids excited about oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultimately, your efforts to help your child brush their teeth will pay off. That said, try the tips above or see a dentist for other suggestions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/\">Stroud Pediatric Dentistry<\/a> is based in Willow Park, TX.<\/em> <em>Led by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/meet-dr-robert-stroud.html\">Drs. Casey Stroud<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/meet-dr-michael-ball.html\">Michael Ball<\/a>, our practice wants every kid to have a healthy smile. To that end, we offer the very best in pediatric dental care \u2013 dental checkups, sedation, emergency services, and more. Our team is also trained and equipped to help child patients with special needs. If you\u2019d like more information or to book a visit, reach us on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/contact.html\">our website<\/a><\/em><em> or by phone at <strong>(817)-441-2425<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When they were babies, you likely brushed your kids\u2019 teeth for them. That\u2019s only natural \u2013 infants can\u2019t handle the task themselves. However, things change as your little ones grow up. It\u2019s best if they brush on their own once they\u2019re old enough. Luckily, your Willow Park pediatric dentist is here to make the transition [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Help a Child Brush Their Teeth | Stroud Pediatric Dentistry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you eager to help your child brush their teeth? 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