5 Signs Your Child Is Ready to Brush Their Teeth Alone

Got an independent kid?

It’s no secret that many kids strive to be independent, sometimes when they probably shouldn’t. You walk into the kitchen to prepare breakfast and they’re scaling the counters in search of their favorite snack, they push a chair to the front door to unlock it so they can prepare for a walk, or maybe they just prefer to operate the TV remote on their own. It’s important for children to have their independence where it is safe, but sometimes it’s best for parents to take over.

When it comes to dentistry, it’s rather common for children to want to brush their teeth independently before they are fully ready. We understand it can be tempting to let them do it, but parents still play an important role in making sure those teeth are cleaned properly! So, in the interest of avoiding tooth decay wherever possible, follow this readiness guide before letting your child take over their own oral health routine.

1. They can brush for a full two minutes.

When you brush your teeth, or your child’s for that matter, it’s important to brush for the full two minutes. We’re not just throwing that number out there! That two minutes gives you plenty of time to get to each tooth and also gives the toothpaste time to do its job properly.

Before your child takes over their own oral care routine, check and see if your little one is able to brush their teeth thoroughly for the full two minutes without rinsing.

2. They have good hand coordination.

Brushing your teeth requires more coordination than you might realize. When checking to see if your child is ready to take over their own oral care routine, watch out for those fine motor skills. Are they coordinated enough to reach all the areas of their mouth? 

If they aren’t ready for this just yet, the teeth that regularly miss out are much more likely to deal with cavities and tooth decay.

3. They remember to brush without constant reminders.

Is your kiddo going to be able to brush their teeth without the constant reminders? If you’re having to hound your child to brush their teeth, there are likely going to be days that are missed entirely. After all, you’re tired, they’re tired, and everyone is rather busy. 

What happens if they don’t listen to that fourth reminder and just avoid brushing their teeth altogether? If your child is able to remain consistent with things like brushing their teeth, it is a sign of growing responsibility!

4. They understand proper brushing technique.

When deciding whether or not your child is ready to brush their teeth on their own, it’s important that they know how to brush. We’re not just talking about scrubbing randomly, spitting, and calling it good. 

Do they understand how to move the toothbrush in gentle circles? How to brush the gumline to keep it healthy? And what about reaching those back teeth? It all matters, and it’s important your child knows how to do it to avoid tooth decay.

5. Their teeth look clean after brushing.

After your child brushes their teeth, take a good look. Do their teeth look clean after brushing? This means no visible plaque or food debris left behind. This might seem simple, but many children don’t understand the actual goal of brushing their teeth. Be sure to check and make sure those teeth are truly clean before letting your little one take control of their toothbrushing routine.

But what if they don’t like brushing their teeth?

Now there’s another side to the oral care routine struggles. Sometimes, children don’t want to brush those teeth! Maybe they feel like they’re too busy to slow down enough, maybe they just don’t like the feeling of the toothbrush. Whatever the reason, we have some suggestions to help you through.

Are they ready? Set? GO!

If you were able to put a check on each of the 5 readiness signs, congratulations! Your little one is likely ready to brush their teeth on their own! But this doesn’t mean you should just leave them to it and go on about your day. It’s still important to keep one eye on their progress. Do occasional “check-ins” to make sure everything is going smoothly, and don’t be afraid to help them relearn techniques as necessary to ensure they are set with their oral health routine for life!

Was your child not ready just yet? Don’t stress! Most children need supervision until around the ages of seven or eight, but some take a little longer. Every child is different, and so their readiness will reflect that. 

What do you do if your child isn’t ready yet, but still wants that independence? Support that independence where you can. Maybe they can brush their teeth once you’re done, or maybe they can be in charge of setting the timer for the toothbrushing sessions. Whatever option you choose, remember you are creating lifelong routines that will keep their teeth healthy.

The team at We Make Kids Smile are here to support your little one’s smile journey.

Of course, don’t forget to come see us at We Make Kids Smile to ensure these new routines are doing exactly as they should. Do you have your child’s six-month checkup on the calendar? If not, jump online and request one today. Remember, you can ask us any questions you have. Together, we will keep those smiles shining.