By modeling the correct way to brush your teeth, you show your kids how to brush properly. People have a tendency to copy what they see. So if you spend all your time forcing your child to put the brush in their mouth, they may not get the point as quickly as if you first let them watch you brush your teeth properly, and then give them a tooth brush.

You may be tempted to spend your time telling your kids just how important it is to brush their teeth and how it can help them maintain their health well into old age. Despite how much fun it is to go on and on about the benefits, it is much more helpful to teach your kids to brush properly by modeling the behavior (brushing your teeth in front of them) and then praise them when they brush.

Invite your kids into the bathroom with you every morning and every night where they watch you properly brush your teeth. Kids are smart and they will pick up on the behavior and will mimic it. When you praise them for a job well done, it is going to reinforce the behavior. Before you know it, they are going to be properly brushing their teeth every day and night without thinking about it! This is the goal.

How do I teach my kids to brush properly?

Avoid scaring your kids into doing it. Some parents like to tell their kids just how important it is that they brush, so that they don’t get holes in their teeth called cavities. That is incredibly scary, even as an adult. Fear has been proven over and over again to cause problems in mind and body. Simply continue to model the behavior in front of your kids and help them brush their teeth until they start on their own. It will take some time, but it is better than scaring them into doing it and giving them nightmares!

Once they have already developed the habit of brushing their teeth properly and often, then you can say something like “It is great that you brush your teeth because you are preventing cavities!” This is now a good thing and something they can feel proud of.

In terms of the quality of the brushing, make sure that all upper front, lower front, as well as upper back and lower back teeth are getting brushed by noticing how your kids are brushing their teeth.

Dr. LaLande, kids dentist Las Vegas, works specifically with children in the Las Vegas area and always promotes brushing and flossing. Las Vegas pediatric dentist, Dr. LaLande has extensive experience providing high quality dental care for kids.