4 Reasons Why You Should Teach Your Toddler Tooth Brushing

I really don't remember brushing my teeth before the age of 7, which is about the time that kids are learning about tooth brushing in elementary school. Of course, 20-something years ago, that was probably the norm, but these days, doctors and dentists are telling us that children should be brushing their teeth as early as 1 year old, or even younger depending on how many teeth have come in.

So what's the point of brushing your toddler's teeth so early? Many parents have that exact question as they realize their child only has a few teeth. But there's more to tooth brushing than just taking care of those precious pearly whites...

1. Creating good habits early.
There's nothing wrong with starting good hygiene so early, even if your baby doesn't realize what you're doing when you're brushing their teeth (or tooth) for them. If you make it part of your daily routine, brushing their teeth in the morning and then again just before bedtime, you're actually building what will be a lifetime of a good habit. Remember, toddlers thrive on routine.

2. You're saving your baby some pain.
No normal parent wants to see their little munchkin in any pain. It may seem silly to start worrying so early about any periodontal diseases, but honestly, it's never too early to think about that. Spare your child any unnecessary pain by making sure their teeth and gums are always cleaned at least once a day. It honestly makes a big difference later on.

3. You're teaching self-sufficiency.
It may be awhile before your kid gets the knack of tooth brushing, but believe me, just the very action of it starts a child on their way to being self-sufficient. Before you know it, your child will be asking to do it themselves. And even though they'll need A LOT of practice to perfect the technique, it's still a big deal that they'd want to try it themselves.

4. It can be a time of bonding.
Believe it or not, tooth brushing can be a moment of bonding in a family's busy day. My daughter looks forward to tooth brushing time, because she knows she can stand on her step stool and while she brushes, I'll brush my teeth behind her and I'll do a silly dance while she looks on in the bathroom mirror. And I find it to be a bonus that she associates tooth brushing with fun time.