Dental care

It is important to brush our teeth every day to remove plaque, bacteria and food debris, keep teeth and gums healthy and protect against bleeding gums, gum disease and tooth decay. 

To ensure your child minimises these risks it is important to establish twice daily brushing of their teeth.

Introducing tooth brushing into the daily routine:

• Carry out tooth brushing at the same time each day using the same technique so that it becomes part of the routine.
• Carry out tooth brushing in the most comfortable/familiar room to minimise anxiety.
• Make it a fun activity, play some favourite music or sing a song and get the family involved.
• Brush yours at the same time and go through each brushing stage together. Encourage them to copy you.
• ‘Tell-Show-Do’ approach: tell them what you are going to do, show them how to do it and then brush the teeth. It may help to demonstrate and brush yours or ‘teddy’s' teeth first.

• Put a tooth brushing picture chart on a wall where brushing takes place and follow each stage to aid brushing. Research shows that picture /visual aids help to improve oral hygiene.
• Try to avoid showing your frustration as this may increase anxiety. Try to create a fun atmosphere.
• Introduce a reward system/chart. For example, a tick/colouring chart after each brushing session and a reward may be given for a week of successful brushing.

Mum in the Madhouse provides some fun and helpful tips on how to encourage teeth brushing with your children so you can establish this important daily routine that they will continue into adulthood.