There are a couple of tricks to help you make sure your child has enough dexterity to care for his or her own oral hygiene.

The first is their handwriting. Can they print neatly between the lines with equal spacing and letter size? Another tip is if your child is adept at tying their own shoes. If your child has mastered these tasks, they should be able to brush their own teeth with minimal supervision. Otherwise, be prepared to help them brush those hard to reach spots.

Even when your child is old enough to brush alone, they still may need some help remembering to brush for two minutes. There are a lot of great toothbrushes out there that will play a song while they are brushing to remind them when the two minutes are up. Or, you can have them sing a song in their head that is approximately two minutes long.

The important thing to remember is to make brushing a fun, rewarding experience they will look forward to everyday.

Be sure to check in next week, as we continue our countdown of tips from the dental professionals here at Olympia Hills Family Dental. Remember, we love to hear from you! Please contact us with any questions or comments you might have or to schedule an appointment to see us.

Here at Olympia Hills Family Dental, we’ll give you something to smile about!

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