Demonstrating the Steps of How Preschoolers Brush Their Teeth

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, while dental health in school-age children and teens has improved, tooth decay in toddlers is on the rise. A sippy cup diet of sugary fruit juice drinks and lack of correct dental hygiene for those precious baby teeth may be to blame. The best defense against tooth and gum disease is to have your toddler stick to water and to teach him how to brush his teeth correctly twice daily.

Things You'll Need

  • Soft child's toothbrush
  • Fluoridated toothpaste
  • Minute timer

Instructions

    • 1

      Place a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste on a small, soft toothbrush for your child. While it̵7;s important that your child learn how much toothpaste is appropriate, you still need to be the one to apply it, to make sure he̵7;s not using too much and not swallowing it.

    • 2

      Set a visual timer, like a small plastic egg timer, to two minutes. If you have a one minute timer, flip it over to make sure that the full two minutes are used for brushing. You can also have your child sing the song ̶0;Happy Birthday̶1; in his head to get the timing right.

    • 3

      Have your child look in the mirror as you brush his teeth for him. Explain every step and everything that you̵7;re doing, starting with the rear teeth. Explain that we always brush back teeth first.

    • 4

      Brush your child̵7;s teeth from the gum line down, top to bottom, front side and back side of each tooth. When you are done with the side and back teeth of one side, let him try the back and side of the other. Help them place the brush in the correct position at the gum line and sweep down with short strokes.

    • 5

      After the top back and sides of the teeth are brushed, move to the bottom teeth, using short small strokes upward from the gum line on both sides of the teeth.

    • 6

      Brush the eating surface of the teeth in the back and sides, top and bottom on each side.

    • 7

      Brush your child̵7;s front teeth, top and bottom, front and back. Have him repeat the brushing after you do it, and gently guide his hand to do it correctly. Make sure you praise him often for doing a good job.

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