Establishing healthy oral hygiene habits at a young age is so important in developing healthy smiles for years to come. This is why Dental Health printable Activities come in handy.
While tooth brushing and flossing isn’t always a child’s favorite activity, there are lots of ways you can make it fun while also helping your child understand the importance of clean teeth and rewarding positive behavior.
It can be hard to know when to transition from brushing your child’s teeth yourself to letting them own the task.
The American Dental Association offers several recommendations for age-appropriate teeth brushing to make this a seamless process for you and your child.
Newborn-3 years old
- As a newborn, you can care for your baby’s teeth by wiping their gums twice a day with a soft cloth after the first feeding and right before bed to clean off any sugars that can cause cavities
- Once your child’s teeth start coming in, brush their teeth for them (morning and night) with a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Be sure to make an appointment with your child’s dentist when their first tooth erupts or no later than age one or two
Care for your baby’s teeth by wiping their gums twice a day with a soft cloth
3-6 years old
- Once your child turns three, you can begin brushing their teeth for them for the recommended two minutes twice a day. Be sure that you’re using the correct amount of toothpaste and that they are spitting out any extra toothpaste when they’re finished brushing.
6 years old and up
- After age 6, your child can begin brushing their teeth on their own. Be sure that your child is still spitting out extra toothpaste and aren’t rushing through their brushing to fully benefit from each brushing session.
Related Health Activities for Kids you might like:
- How Social and Emotional Learning Interventions Can Save a Child’s Emotional Wellbeing
- Teaching Social Emotional Skills to Preschool: 10 Super Easy Books on Kindness
- Our Classroom Family – Teaching Kids About Cultural Diversity
Now that you know the basics of teeth brushing by age, you’re ready to implement some excitement around brushing for your child.
And what better month to dive into dental health than March’s Oral Health Month?
To help inspire you, Auraglow has created five dental health printables for kids to make oral health exciting for your little one.
From a tooth fairy receipt to a fun coloring page, these printables are sure to encourage your child to be a better brusher.
Dental Health Printable Activities for Kids
