If you’re a parent, you have probably struggled with your kids over tooth brushing . It requires you to be patient and consistent. Brushing has to be made a daily routine without a say. There is no better short cut to healthy smiles.

The inevitable ‘I can do it by myself’ phase.

We often get to hear from parents that their toddlers want to brush their teeth independently (which is great! You win in establishing a routine! Kudos to the little champ for reaching that milestone), but most kids don’t have the hand co-ordination or patience to clean every tooth effectively until they develop manual dexterity. i.e, until around 7-8years of age.. – roughly about the same time they can tie their shoelaces – which is why we use it as a metaphor. But ofcourse ,one skill may be developed earlier than the other.
“A child , until the age of 7 ,requires supervision during brushing.”

Why your guidance matters:

• Little hands miss spots: Children often skip the back teeth or brush too quickly.
• Gentle but thorough wins: Parents can make sure the right pressure and circular motions are used.
• Routine building: Brushing together helps make it a fun daily habit instead of a chore.
• Confidence grows: Kids feels proud as they get better and more independent over time.

Make it fun:

• Brush together and let them finish up.
• Sing a brushing song or set a 3 min timer.
• Make sure to buy toothbrushes that your child can grasp. It builds confidence. Thicker handle toothbrushes are available in the market.
• Use colorful toothbrushes and child friendly toothpaste flavors. Allow them to choose . Those little minds love being the decision makers.

Dr.Aysha Shibin A.R MDS