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If you are here, it is because you know how important it is to help your child become independent when brushing their teeth as early as possible. Indeed, simply complimenting your child will not help them brush their teeth better. Above all, it is important to give them all the tools they need to brush their teeth correctly. This is the only way for them to maintain good oral hygiene.
The main instructions to give them about brushing their teeth
Here are the most important brushing instructions:
- How often to brush their teeth: tell them that they must brush their teeth twice a day. Ideally, they should do so in the morning after breakfast and in the evening before bed. However, you can tell them that from time to time, they can brush at lunchtime if they want to. The most important brushing session is still the evening one. That is why they should do it carefully and thoroughly.
- Respecting the two-minute brushing time: Explain that the French Union for Oral Health recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes. However, this rule applies to traditional manual toothbrushes. If they use a Y-Brush sonic toothbrush, they can brush their teeth in just 10 seconds, which will motivate them even more.
- Using one toothbrush exclusively: It is important to make your child understand that they should use only one toothbrush during their daily brushing routine. They must not share it with you or anyone else. If they did, there would be a risk of transmitting a bacterial or viral infection, as they could pick up your germs and pass theirs on to you.
- Explaining your role: tell them that it is important for them to try brushing their teeth alone from the age of 4 and that you will be there to help only when needed. They should also understand that you will mainly be there to check that they are using the right technique and respecting the necessary brushing time for healthy teeth.
You may be tempted to try the Y-Brush toothbrush. Indeed, the toothbrush is easy to handle because your child simply needs to let the toothbrush guide them. Brushing their teeth will no longer feel like a chore.
The different brushing techniques to teach them according to their age
The 1,2,3,4 brushing method before the age of 6
They should start by brushing their teeth ten times, beginning with the lower teeth on the left, one side at a time. Then, they should move to the right side and finish with the lower teeth, brushing ten times as well. Next, they should move their toothbrush to the upper right, with the brush turned around this time. Finally, they should finish brushing by taking care of the upper left section.
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The B.R.O.S. brushing method from the age of 6
It is important for them to start by brushing the upper and lower teeth separately. Then, they should use a rotating or rolling motion to brush their teeth and gums from pink to white. Next, they should brush their teeth at an angle, tilting the brush 45° toward the gums. They should also follow a circular path around all their teeth without forgetting the tops of their teeth.
Evening brushing supplemented by the F.I.L. method
First, give your child some dental floss. They should then gently insert the floss between two adjacent teeth and slide it along them. However, it is important that they do not press too hard, so as not to damage their delicate gums. They should then remember to clear the space by removing the floss and repeat the process in all the spaces between their teeth.
Additional tips to help them become independent
1) Have them use a Time Timer
The Time Timer is completely different from ordinary timers. It is a visual tool with a colored disk that shrinks to show how much time remains for brushing their teeth. This feature makes it particularly effective. They will know that they must not stop brushing their teeth until the time is up.
2) Create a visual aid for them
A visual aid will show your child all the brushing actions they need to perform to brush their teeth correctly. You can therefore offer them a visual sequence detailing all the steps involved in brushing their teeth. Pictograms will make daily actions easier while also helping your child anticipate each step and become more independent.
3) Choose a toothpaste they like
Children have much greater taste sensitivity than adults. They therefore find it more difficult to tolerate the strong taste of fluoride in toothpaste. If they prefer, you can choose a low-fluoride toothpaste or a fluoride-free toothpaste for a gentler approach to brushing their teeth.
Here are the main benefits of fluoride-free toothpaste for children:
- It is natural—in other words, free from coloring agents, synthetic aromas and chemical preservatives.
- It provides good oral hygiene without being harsh on the teeth and respects the pH of the oral mucosa.
- It contains plant-based ingredients such as anise, green tea or essential oils, which help prevent cavities and plaque buildup.
- It may carry labels such as: Cosmébio, BDIH or Nature et Progrès
You can choose the Y-Brush fluoride-free chewable toothpaste. This toothpaste helps reduce acid attacks on the teeth, fight bacteria, combat plaque and freshen breath.
4) Show them how to brush their teeth
You can play the mirror game—in other words, imitation. It is a good learning tool. Their brain is activated by mechanisms that enable them to reproduce actions. They will therefore imitate your movements and copy what they see if you brush your teeth at the same time as them. Knowing the technique will undoubtedly help them become more independent.
We hope this guide has helped you understand how important it is for your child to know all the brushing instructions before they begin brushing their teeth. We also hope they will be able to reproduce the brushing technique suited to their age. All these small tips will help motivate them to brush their teeth.
