The American Dental Association recommends that both adults and kids brush their teeth for 2 minutes at a time, and for good reason. Brushing less might mean missing spots and emerging dental problems over time.
But how can you make sure they brush for the recommended amount of time? Here's some things you can try:
- Use a timer. Either a digital timer or an old-fashioned board game sand timer will work.
- Search your phone's app store. There are a lot of apps out there that entertain kids while they brush while also going the full two minutes. You might find one themed with characters they enjoy.
- Listen to an appropriately length song. Kids songs tend to be shorter, so if you can find a 2-minute song they love, you can play that as they brush.
- Read to them for two minutes. You might find a board book on your bookshelf that you can read in about two minutes.
- Brush with your kids. There's no better way to enforce good habits than by modeling them yourself. If you brush your teeth at the same time as your kids, then everyone in the family will brush long enough.
As your child's pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to keep your child's smile healthy. If you have any questions for our office, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.
About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists
Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are doctor spouses who have been working as kids dentists in Tucson for years. They have deep ties to Tucson, as well as the surrounding Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and other areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children. If you’re looking for a general dentist for kids in Tucson, contact us today at (520) 544-8522.