Teaching your children about their dental hygiene is one of the biggest hurdles of parenting. Failing to do so can often result in cavities and toothaches. Here are a few pointers on how to teach your kids to brush their teeth properly.

Pick a toothbrush of their own choice:

Children mostly like cartoons and Disney themed toothbrushes. Let them choose their brushes in the store. There are some battery-operated toy toothbrushes in the market. Buy one of those for your children. They will be more interested in brushing in this way. These electric toothbrushes are really good for cleaning your toddler’s tiny teeth.

Pretend it’s a game:

You should always brush together with your child, be it in the morning or in the evening. Teach them how to brush by improvising. Tell them to look at the mirror while brushing their teeth.

Warn them about the consequences of not brushing their teeth:

Enlighten your child about the effects of bad dental hygiene. Let them know that by not brushing their teeth, they are harboring germs in their mouth and this will result in horrible toothaches in the future.

Teach them the basics:

Teach them to start brushing from the base of the teeth at a 45 degree angle. Tell them to pay more attention to the chewing surfaces. Teach them to brush every tooth carefully. You should let them brush for 3-4 minutes in the beginning. Encourage your child to make more bubbles with the toothpaste.

Pick a good toothpaste:

The market is full of so many toothpaste of various flavors and colors. You can let your child choose any of them. Colgate makes amazing toothpaste for children that come in attractive packaging and flavors.

Teach them to floss:

Flossing is essential for good dental health. Teach your kids to floss their teeth daily before going to bed.

Discard toothbrushes after 3-4 months:

Get rid of the old toothbrushes after 3-4 months of constant use. As children tend to have sensitive gums, try to pick the softest bristles for them.

Kids are often impatient to brush their teeth properly. But you just have to explain the whole technique to them and they will learn on their own. You should also take your children to a dentist for an initial checkup and some pro-tips. It will make the whole process easier for your children.