Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Good Oral Hygiene – Ways to Teach Young Kids to Brush

To keep your kids teeth healthy it’s important to set them up with smart, healthy habits while they’re young. Here are great tricks to help them master tooth brushing:

1.) Show and tell. Many young children are visual learners, so make sure you personally demonstrate healthy routines you want them to learn. Participate as often as you can.

2.) Use books and stories. Make sure kids know why good oral hygiene is important. There are many storybooks and online activities that can teach kids about germs and bacteria, and how brushing can keep them healthy. There are even smartphone apps to help teach about hygiene and track their efforts.

3.) Positive reinforcement. Keep a chart and reward your kids with star stickers every time they properly demonstrate good oral hygiene. Incentivize them further by offering a reward when they collect a certain number of stickers.

4.) Make it a song.  Tooth brushing should last at least 2 minutes. Find a song that’s this length to play while your kids are brushing, or use a bathroom timer.

5.) Make it fun. There are a lot of ways you can make hygiene fun for kids. Buy them  toothpaste and toothbrushes with their favourite character or fragrance. Try fun activities like doing dances while brushing can make it hilarious.

6.) Stick to routines. Kids thrive on routines. By setting strict morning, night-time routines, good oral hygiene will eventually become an automatic response.

Have fun while brushing. For more ideas please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Building Healthy Smiles from Childhood in Glen Iris

A consistent oral hygiene routine for children helps protect against dental disease throughout life, according to Australian Dental Association (ADA). Recent findings show that early dental care is essential not just for a healthy smile but for long-term overall health.

The ADA, alongside the Australian Health Policy Collaboration (AHPC), published a report highlighting concerning trends in kids’ dental health. It revealed that three in four children consume too much sugar, and one in three children aged five to six already have decay in their baby teeth. For more details access the Australia’s Oral Health Tracker report.

Early Dental Health and Long-Term Well-being

The report had found the level of decay among young children as unacceptably high, warning that poor oral health in early life can lead to chronic issues later on. The report shows that of the 67,000 Australians hospitalized each year for oral health problems, one third are children under nine years old. “Poor oral health in childhood” is a predictor of disease in adulthood. Australia needs to recognize that oral health care is part of good health care, and that access to dental care is vital for both oral and physical well-being.” Learn more about keeping your child’s teeth healthy on our Children’s Dentistry page for age-appropriate oral care advice.

The Role of Parents in Children’s Oral Care

Dr. Kaufman had found that parents are key to helping children establish good brushing habits. “Children often lack the dexterity and patience to brush their teeth properly under the age of ten,”. Parents should brush their child’s teeth when they are young and supervise as they get older to ensure thorough cleaning at least once daily.  Older adults who face mobility challenges may also benefit from similar assistance to maintain effective daily care.

Key Habits for Lifelong Oral Health

Dr. Kaufman highlights that maintaining good dental hygiene is a multi-step process combining:

  • Regular brushing and flossing

  • Avoiding sugary foods and drinks

  • Scheduling routine dental checkups for examinations and professional cleans

Gum disease and tooth decay are both preventable with consistent care and early intervention. Dr. Kaufman can guide you on how to adapt your oral hygiene routine to each stage of your child’s growth.

Book your child’s dental check-up today with Dr. Daniel Kaufman to ensure a bright, healthy future.