How old was your child before you let them brush their teeth all own their own??? We should be brushing their teeth until they are at least 8 or 9 minimum and I would like to know who does NOT do this and why you don't brush their teeth for them???
2006-07-19 19:16:44 · 14 answers · asked by mickeymaz 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I am a Dental Therapist so I know what I am talking about. My kids brush their own teeth first and then I go over it for them. Kids do not brush their teeth properly until at least 8. I should know as I am the one whe sees these kids teeth and I am the one who has to fill these kids teeth and I am the one that the parents don't listen to.
2006-07-19 20:37:44 · update #1
i stopped brushing my sons teeth mhen he was 5 cuz I thought he neede to learn to do it himslef....BIG mistake he got 2 cavities..so now I let him brush them once and i brush them too..he is now 7
2006-07-19 19:20:15 · answer #1 · answered by His 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I agree with you, kids don't know how to properly brush their teeth until they are older. I've got a 3 year old and a 6 year old. I supervise them brushing their teeth every time. I brush my teeth at the same time so they can observe and copy, and if they do it too quickly, I'll grab the brush their teeth for them. It doesn't bother them, since they're so used to me doing this. I think you need to let them do it themselves because if you do it for them, they'll become lazy. It's like anything, they need to have a go, and you need to supervise and correct them. As long as you make teeth cleaning fun and constantly enforce why it's so important, it will become a good habit If you supervise them & constantly correct their method, they'll do it properly & grow up with healthy & strong teeth. And good brushing is REALLY important, but it also needs to be combined with good nutrition habits. Regular visits to the dentist will further enforce the correct ways to brush & show them that you think it's important to look after your own teeth. After all, the most important reinforcement is the example that the parent/guardian sets.
2006-07-20 00:32:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You gotta let go. Sounds like you're kind of overprotective. Poor things! At least just stand at the door and watch them, but 8 or 9? They have been old enough for a long time to brush their own teeth.
2006-07-19 19:21:23 · answer #3 · answered by Fartbuster 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Brush an 8 year olds teeth? Are you kidding?? She brushes her teeth on her own.
2006-07-20 01:47:26 · answer #4 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is six & I don't brush his teeth for him. I just tell him to make sure he brushes in the back & behind his teeth & close to the gums as well as brushing his tongue. He uses a power brush & I always check when he's finished. If they don't look good them I make go back & brush them again. That way he'll make sure his does it right the first time.
2006-07-20 03:45:55 · answer #5 · answered by bunni96 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't do it for my 8 yr. old, I just stood by and supervised. She was capable of doing as I instructed her, and I saw to it that she did the job well. I also got her a two minute timer to use.
While I agree with what you're saying about the fact that they don't do well on their own, I don't necessarily agree about doing it for them. At the age you've mentioned, I think supervision should work and still give them a sense of being able to do a simple task on their own.
But the most important issue here is that the job is done well, no matter what approach you use. If you're keeping your child's teeth healthy, more power to you.
2006-07-20 02:04:07 · answer #6 · answered by JC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My girls were 4 when I let them brush their own teeth. I brush them in the morning when they wake up and before bed. They get to do the after lunch brush. I want them to learn to do this themselves.
2006-07-20 03:37:17 · answer #7 · answered by Sarah J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I let my son brush his own teeth at the age of 5 becasue both his dentist and myself taught him how to do it properly (he still uses a timer to this day, he just turned 11). Plus, he gets regular check ups and if he is missing an area the dentist will show him how to keep it clean.
2006-07-19 19:21:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't brush kids teeth after they've turned 5. I watch them, and make them do it for a little longer, but I let them do it on their own.
2006-07-19 19:22:09 · answer #9 · answered by choirgirl1987 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom never brushed my teeth or my brothers we did what we wanted. brushing their teeth for them kinda sounds stupid
2006-07-19 19:19:59 · answer #10 · answered by *********** 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as soon as my kids got their first teeth i started to brush tem and take them to the dentist but hey everyone is different!
2006-07-19 19:54:45 · answer #11 · answered by half insane 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋