How long kids brush teeth

Brushing once during the day and again before going to bed is the general rule for everyone. It is advisable to at least spend three minutes on brushing. Put simply, one and a half minutes on both jaws can be good enough to ensure all the surfaces get cleaned daily. Proper brushing must involve brushing the inside, outside front and back of the teeth. Even the tongue needs to be cleaned with a tongue cleaner placed on the flip side of most of the toothbrushes.

Electronic toothbrushes have a built-in timer for ensuring that the user spends the recommended time on brushing. For others, the good old stop-watch in the smartphone can prove to be helpful. After waking up in the morning, the first thing that a child should think about is brushing teeth. Setting up a daily routine is essential. Failing to clean for the minimum recommended time can lead to serious dental problems for the child in his or her later life.

There are several ideas that parents can use for ensuring their kid spends the right amount of time on brushing teeth. For toddlers, playing their favorite songs while brushing their teeth can keep them occupied.

It may not be easy for every parent to supervise older children, but visiting the bathroom while they are brushing can help. Explaining the benefits of cleaning different parts of the teeth remains crucial. Offering them an electric toothbrush with a timer for brushing can be the best possible solution. For a three year old, a small amount of fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush can do the trick. When it comes to kids, the brushing technique is as important as the timing.

Always make sure kids brush using short strokes. Sealants are a white coating placed over the grooves of the teeth to prevent plaque from causing cavities. Brush your teeth at the same time to help teach your child to brush by mimicking you. Tooth brushing should occur twice a day once in the morning after breakfast and right before bedtime. Brushing after snacks is ideal, too. At age six and above, brushing should take two minutes each time.

Brush the front of the teeth, behind the teeth and on the chewing surfaces. Take two full minutes to brush properly. Alternatively, you can teach your child to use a sonic toothbrush.

These brushes use sonic waves to kill bacteria while cleaning the teeth. Put a tooth brushing timer app for kids on your phone that will alert your child when their time at the sink is up. It makes it more fun and helps hold them accountable. Most apps have other cool features too like brushing reminders and games. Not sure which one to go for? Here are a few of our favorites:. Thankfully, there are quite a few two-minute songs to brush teeth to that will make the time fly by.

If the song is slightly longer, you can always spend the final seconds having a dance party. Here are some ideas that come in around two minutes and are available on YouTube:.

Make or print out a tooth brushing sticker chart. Every time kids brush their teeth for two full minutes, they get to put a sticker on their chart. Choose a goal and when they reach it, give them a reward. It could be anything from a trip to the park or choosing the game for family game night. As any parent can attest, positive reinforcement can go a long way!

No one said preventing tooth decay in kids had to be boring! You can turn teeth brushing into a game that lasts two minutes. One great idea is to play Copycat.

Set a timer for 30 seconds and have them focus on one quadrant of their mouth.