One of the best ways to prevent tooth decay in children is to get them enthusiastic about daily dental hygiene. After all, tooth brushing is probably not at the top of your child’s list of favorite things to do. But you can make it more acceptable – and even fun — by choosing a toothpaste and toothbrush that your child will like and will want to use.

Look for toothpaste with fluoride that’s child-friendly, with flavors and colors that appeal to kids, such as Kid’s Crest. There are toothpaste choices more appropriate to adult needs as well, so many families find themselves using more than one type of toothpaste.

Knowing how to brush your teeth is just as important as the type of toothpaste you choose. Teach children the proper technique early to help encourage them to develop good oral health habits. Explaining how to brush your teeth doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with these simple steps to get kids off to a good start:

• Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
• Move the brush back and forth gently, in short strokes, over the fronts, backs, and tops of your teeth. Don’t scrub hard along the gum line; you can irritate your gums.
• Don’t forget to brush (and floss) behind your top front teeth and behind the bottom front teeth. (The area behind the bottom front teeth is prone to tartar buildup and needs attention.) Use the top bristles of the brush to reach this area—some toothbrushes have a slightly longer tip to make it easier to reach these spots.

Every child wants to be like mom and dad. So an effective way to get your child interested in good oral hygiene is to model that good behavior. It can even start as early as in infancy by familiarizing your infant with the feel of a soft infant toothbrush or wet wash cloth as you clean their gums after mealtimes. Give your child, even if they don’t have teeth, a soft bristle toothbrush so they can copy mom or dad. And they will!

Here are some more ways to make brushing teeth fun:

• Let children pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste
• Let children put their own toothpaste on the toothbrush themselves (a little help from mom or dad might be needed so they don’t put too much on)
• Get your child an electric toothbrush
• Get a toothbrush that plays a song or has a two-minute timer
• Make a game out of brushing by singing a song or telling a story while your child brushes
• Get a toothbrush that lights up or has a character on it

The more fun you make brushing teeth for your child, the easier it will be to get them to brush and for them to make it a habit. If done consistently, along with eating healthy and seeing your Morrison Dental Group dentist regularly, your child will be well on their way to a lifetime of smiles.