Brushing Toddler Teeth: Good Brushing Habits to Prevent Cavities

Brushing toddler teeth is often a struggle for many parents. What methods work best to get toddler teeth clean? This teeth-brushing question is a popular one asked by parents of resisting toddlers. Only with daily teeth-brushing routines will toddlers learn good brushing habits to prevent cavities. A pediatric dentist shared a teeth-brushing tip that has proven to install early teeth-brushing habits.

Keeping Teeth Brushing Simple
All toddlers are different and some are more resisting to teeth brushing then others. Try to keep it simple in the beginning.

Be a good teeth-brushing role model by letting your toddler see you brush your teeth at an early age. Smile and make teeth brushing a fun experience. Let your toddler play with his or her toothbrush to become familiar with it.

Have your toddler mimic you while she brushes her teeth. Say "smile", "awe" and other commands as you model mouth placement in front of her. After she is done brushing her teeth be sure to finish brushing her teeth for her until age 5 or 6.

Pediatric Dentist Tip
A pediatric dentist shared a teeth-brushing tip that proves to work well with toddlers. Sit yourself down in a chair and have your toddler sit on your lap facing you. Lean your toddler back until you can see full range of her teeth. Then continue brushing in a circular motion. Be sure to brush the gum lines.

The pediatric dentist assured me that toddlers will learn good teeth-brushing habits by daily routine and practice.

Teeth Brushing Supplies
Fluoride-free toothpaste is recommended for children who do not yet realize the harm in swallowing fluoride fortified toothpaste.

Small soft bristle toothbrushes are recommended by most dentists. In addition, I recommend purchasing a character tooth brush that your child enjoys, battery operated vibrating tooth brush or a toothbrush that lights up and blinks.

What's great about the blinking tooth brush is it will blink for a full minute signaling how long your toddler should brush. Of course we want to brush her teeth longer and this is where the parent finishes the job. Often toddlers will brush a few strokes before calling it quits. The blinking brush is fun while it encourages a toddler to brush longer.

Brushing your toddler's teeth will get easier with daily brushing routines, patience and time. Encourage your toddler to have good brushing habits to prevent cavities. Taking care of baby teeth is important. This is the practice course for your toddler's future permanent teeth.