Good oral hygiene is essential to overall health and well-being. Teaching your children how to brush their teeth properly from a young age lays the foundation for lifelong oral health. Here’s how you can do this.

Model the Behavior

Children excel at mimicking the behavior (good and bad) of the adults in their lives. They will imitate your oral hygiene habits along with other daily habits you display, such as reading, keeping a clutter-free environment and eating healthy. Model the behavior you want your children to learn.

Choose the Age-appropriate Toothbrush

Use a child’s toothbrush with soft bristles that your child can grip well. Control is essential for proper brushing. Be sure to use fluoride toothpaste to give their developing teeth added protection.

The Right Way to Brush

Angle the brush at 45 degrees against the gum line. Brush the back of the teeth first as this is where bacteria and plaque build the most. The front and back of the teeth should be brushed using small circular strokes. The chewing surfaces of the teeth can be brushed with a back and forth motion. Don’t forget to brush the tongue surface, the roof of the mouth and inside of the cheeks to remove bacteria.To reap the maximum benefit, your child should brush his or her teeth properly for at least two minutes. Use a timer to ensure that this minimum time is met.Here at Windy Hill Dental Associates, we help children and adults alike with all their dental care needs. As leading Marietta dentists, we provide a wide range of services including teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and dental implants. We are also a recognized practitioner in the field of cosmetic dentistry in Marietta, Ga. Trust your pearly whites to our expert dental professionals at Windy Hill Dental Associates and win the world over with a smile.