How should I brush my child’s teeth?
Dr. Shane Fixari, Dentist in Columbus Ohio demonstrates how to brush your child’s teeth.
Just imagine these are your child’s teeth, I know it’s kind of awkward. You want to cradle the head really well and with the tooth paste you just want them to get used to feeling the brush on every tooth. Use circular motions, try to get back as far as you can. Sometimes children will resist and cry when they are very young. Think of this as an opportunity. If their mouth is open wider you can really get back and do a better job. After a while they will just open for you because they know that’s what’s going to happen. Be sure to get the chewing surfaces of the teeth really well, you can brush up and down. But the most important thing for a parent to know is not to miss any surfaces, so be systematic.
Start up in the front and around the surfaces; get all the way around to the other side. I like to go back on the inside and get up against the gum. Use circular motion. It tickles so laugh with them and tell them “this is fun” and “doesn’t that tickle”. Then do the bottom in the same way, all around the surfaces. Sometimes it’s a little more difficult to get on the inside because their tongue wants to play and fight with you a little bit. Just keep communicating. Make it an enjoyable and fun experience for them. I like to tell them what a great job they did even if it was difficult. You want to make sure they are happy about the experience and then you just do it every day!