Taking care of our teeth is important, no matter how old we are! For kids, building a solid oral care routine early on can help them develop habits that last a lifetime. I bet we all wish we’d developed a flossing habit when we were younger 😉 Keeping their teeth clean now not only helps them avoid cavities but it sets them up for healthy teeth and gums as they age. If you're wondering how to start a great oral care routine for your child, we've got you covered with some easy and fun tips to help your little one enjoy brushing and taking care of their teeth.
1. Start Early: Teach Them the Basics
As soon as your child's first teeth start coming in (usually around 6 months old), it’s time to introduce a baby toothbrush with soft bristles! At this stage, you’ll still be doing the brushing for them, but it’s important to start early so they get used to the routine. Make sure to use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. The aim here is to get some toothpaste on the teeth and familiarize your baby with their toothbrush. Don’t stress too much about actually scrubbing their teeth. Building oral care into their bedtime routine from the start makes it much easier to teach your toddler how to brush their teeth later on.
2. Brush Twice a Day: Make It a Routine
Once your little one has more teeth, make it a goal to brush them twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. We know this is tough. It demands a lot of the parent, but again, you’re trying to help your kids build a habit. Consistency is key! Think about the kinds of food they eat and how easy it is for things like goldfish and peanut butter to get stuff on their teeth and just sit there. Brushing their teeth is the most efficient way to get all of those little-kid foods unstuck.
Try singing a favorite song, playing a two-minute game, or making brushing a family activity that everyone does together. You want your child to understand that taking care of their teeth is a regular part of daily life.
3. Use the Right Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Choosing the right toothbrush is important for making brushing comfortable and effective. Look for a child-sized toothbrush with soft bristles that are gentle on their teeth and gums. For kids under 3 years old, use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste (a grain of rice-sized amount). For children over 3, a pea-sized amount is perfect. If you don’t want to use fluoride toothpaste, try nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste. It remineralizes teeth and has the same benefits as fluoride toothpaste!
Keep things exciting by letting your child pick out their own toothbrush. (We currently have a Bluey toothbrush sitting on our bathroom counter. IYKYK) There are so many fun designs, including their favorite cartoon characters. Choosing their own toothbrush allows your kids to feel like they have a say in their oral care.
4. Teach Proper Technique
Proper brushing technique is key to maintaining healthy teeth, but when you’re five, reaching all of those corners can feel like a lot of work. Teach your child to brush the full area of their teeth by scrubbing the front, back, and chewing surfaces. A simple way to help them is by applying the “two-minute rule.” Encourage them to brush for at least two minutes to make sure they clean every tooth.
Show your child how to hold their toothbrush diagonally (at a 45-degree angle) to their gums, brushing in circular motions. Be sure they brush gently since brushing too hard can damage their gums and enamel.
5. Don’t Forget to Floss!
You might be wondering when kids should start flossing. The answer is: once your child has two teeth that touch! Flossing removes food and plaque between your child’s teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach, and with all of the sticky, gummy snacks kids tend to eat, flossing is even more important.
Flossing should start as soon as your child has enough teeth that are touching each other (usually by age 2-3). You can start with floss picks or an easier-to-handle flossing tool (like the Slate Flosser), or you can show them how to use string floss. It’s a good idea to help them with flossing until they are around 8 years old since younger children might have trouble with the technique. Jump to the bottom to read more about how Slate can help your kids floss!
6. Healthy Eating Habits Matter Too
What your child eats plays a big role in their oral health. Try to limit sugary snacks and drinks, like candy, soda, and sugary juice. These foods cause cavities by feeding the bacteria in the mouth that create plaque. If restricting those treats feels impossible, try to get your kids to drink more water. The water helps wash away some of that food debris and harmful bacteria.
Encourage your child to eat a balanced diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy products. Foods like cheese, apples, and carrots can help naturally clean their teeth and provide important nutrients like calcium and vitamin D.
7. Regular Dentist Visits: The Importance of Checkups
Even if your child’s teeth look clean and healthy, regular dentist visits are a must. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth coming in.
These professional cleanings and regular check-ups help catch any potential problems early, so your child can avoid more serious dental issues down the road. A huge benefit to prioritizing that first dentist visit is that it allows your child to get comfortable with the dentist’s office so they won’t feel anxious about future visits!
8. Make It Fun and Rewarding!
Make your child’s oral care routine something they look forward to! Set up a reward system where they earn stickers or small rewards for brushing, flossing, and eating healthy. You can also try YouTube videos that turn brushing time into a fun, interactive experience. Click here to check out one of our favorite 2-minute tooth brushing videos.
Offer positive reinforcement and praise when they brush and floss properly. Remember, your goal is to build confidence and make oral care feel like a fun activity rather than a chore!
9. Model the Behavior You Want to See
Your children love you and want to emulate you. If they see you brushing and flossing your teeth every day, they’re MUCH more likely to do it. So, before you get frustrated at their lack of enthusiasm for flossing, pause and have a moment of self-reflection. Are you modeling the good behavior you want to see? I recently started flossing with my two and a half year old because she kept stealing my Slate Flosser! 😅I guess she got jealous watching me use it every day and wanted to be part of it. That was a very fast *add to cart* because the last thing I want is my flosser in my toddler’s mouth.
10. Why the Slate Flosser is Great for Kids
Dr. Snyder invented the Slate Flosser because he wanted to make flossing easy and accessible. That’s why our flosser is such a great tool for kids! Here are our favorite kid-friendly features:
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Easy-to-hold handle. Helps tiny hands reach back teeth
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Gentle vibrations to help disrupt plaque
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Woven floss with NO FOREVER CHEMICALS (No PTFE or PFAS)
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Gum sweeps to clean the pockets between teeth & stimulate the gums
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Tongue scraper for fresh breath
Why It Matters
Teaching your child good oral care habits doesn’t have to be a struggle! By starting early, using fun tools, and keeping the routine consistent, you can help them develop habits that will last a lifetime. Remember, a little encouragement and patience go a long way. With your guidance, your child will learn to love taking care of their smile.