“Can I do it?”

When your child acquires those first little teeth, brushing their teeth is surprisingly easy. Just a quick brush of those two front teeth, kisses, and it’s off to the next thing. As they get older, things can get a bit more complicated. Your child wants more independence, wants to do it themselves, but that’s not always the best idea for your four-year-old, who most certainly won’t brush those molars. So, on you go, begging and pleading for them to let you brush their teeth.

Don’t worry, it does get easier! You get into a routine, and everything goes somewhat smoothly. These habits matter more than many people realize. Every day is another brick that solidifies that permanent routine that will follow them throughout adulthood.

But when is the right time for a child to take control of their own oral hygiene? How can you trust your kiddo to brush their own teeth?

It’s recommended that parents brush their children’s teeth for them until they’re around six years old. When they hit that maturity level, it’s time to give them that craved freedom and let them take a hand in brushing their own teeth.

It doesn’t happen overnight.

Giving your child control over brushing their own teeth isn’t an instant switch. Expect that it might take a little while for them to adjust to doing it properly. Because of this, you won’t be able to hand them the toothbrush and go do your own thing. Thankfully, with a little bit of patience, soon enough your child will be a professional at caring for their own teeth.

Make it a routine, not a chore.

It can be hard to make things like brushing their teeth something other than a chore. After all, it’s something they have to do! But it’s important that your child views brushing their teeth as a simple part of their daily routine, just like how they change their clothes for school or bed. Keep it very predictable, just like story time or getting ready for bed.

Give kids some control.

Once your child becomes a toddler, they crave control. Give them what control you can, while also ensuring that they have clean teeth. You can do this in small but effective ways. For example, let them choose their toothbrush color. Do they prefer the Bluey-themed one, or are they more into Gabby’s Dollhouse?

Another easy way to give your little one control is by letting them pick their toothpaste flavor! You might not always want to let them loose on the aisle, as they might not be ready to try the minty adult flavors, but if you show them the age-appropriate ones, they are sure to have a blast picking out the perfect one.

To make the whole process a little more fun, why not use some fun apps or timers to make brushing feel like a game? This can be as simple as using your kitchen timer set to two minutes. Alternatively, you can find some fun apps out there. One is the Disney Magic Timer, and another one is Brush DJ.

Brush together when you can.

Even when you give your child control of the toothbrush, you’re going to want to keep an eye on their brushing practices. Kids mimic what they see, so there’s no better way to get your child adept at brushing their teeth than to model the behavior. Bring their toothbrushes in with yours and have family brushing time. You can use this time to bond and make it feel less like a boring task.

Turn progress into a celebration.

Keep an eye on that progress and turn everything into a celebration! You can easily do this by creating a sticker chart with custom rewards. Want to reward them after seven days of consistent brushing? Do it! Prefer to go for a whole month? The world is your oyster. Pick some non-food rewards like glitter stickers, pens, or small toys! Remember to focus on encouragement, not perfection. It’s completely normal for it to take a minute to become proficient with brushing their own teeth.

Don’t skip the dentist—make it a positive experience.

You’re not alone in keeping your child’s teeth healthy. Dr. Spencer’s team is prepared to help you and your family every step of the way. Remember to keep up with those routine checkups to reinforce at-home habits. During these visits, we will be able to help your child learn where they need to spend a little extra time brushing, where they might be missing entirely. Plus, we’ll be able to solve any tooth decay problems before they have a chance to get out of hand. Dr. Spencer’s team makes these visits kid-friendly and stress-free!

Healthy habits start young.

It can take a while for your child to really get the hang of brushing their own teeth. Be patient, and it’ll all work out if you are able to stick with the routine. Remember, the goal is for these routines to last throughout adulthood.

Of course, we’re always here for you every step of the way. Need to get a cleaning on the schedule? You can request one in just a few clicks! We are always happy to answer any questions or address any concerns you might have, so we can support your child’s ever-growing smile.