During my son’s baby and early toddler years, taking him to the dentist just wasn’t on my radar. I was busy with other aspects of being a working mom, and he barely had teeth, you know? It wasn’t until a chipped tooth incident at age 1.5 prompted me to find him a good pediatric dentist (and sign him up for our dental insurance plan), and it was then too that I learned the importance of establishing good oral hygiene early.

If you also aren’t sure when or how to introduce healthy dental and brushing habits to your little ones, let now be the time; February is National Children’s Dental Month. Having good oral health leads to kids’ overall well-being, and a great smile to boot! Here are a few tips for busy parents:

• Set a good example with brushing and flossing. Kids tend to mimic their parents’ behaviors, for better or for worse. They’re more likely to brush and floss regularly if they see their mom and dad doing the same. Better yet, do so together every morning and evening and turn it into a family activity.

• Limit sugary foods and drinks. Not surprisingly, studies have shown that sugary snacks and drinks can lead to tooth decay, specifically if the food is sticky and consumed between meals. It’s hard to deny your kids treats all the time, but try to ensure that they consume a lot of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, which are essential for a healthy mouth. Drinking a lot of water helps oral health too.

• Understand the age-appropriate expectations. You can “brush” a baby’s teeth with an infant toothbrush as soon as he or she sprouts that first tooth, and according to the American Dental Association, consider scheduling your child’s first appointment with a pediatric dentist by the age of 1. 2- and 3-year-olds can start to get into the habit of brushing on their own (with or without toothpaste), but a parent should then go back in with the brush to actually clean the chompers. By age 6 or 7, the ADA notes, most kids will have the fine motor skills and dexterity needed to brush independently, but you’ll know when they’re ready to do so when they spit out the toothpaste instead of swallowing it. Check in with your dentist if you’re not sure if your kiddo is ready.

• Make brushing fun so it doesn’t become a chore. If your little one doesn’t want to floss, won’t brush for more than a few seconds, or is overall being stubborn about cleaning their mouth, bring in the big guns. Consider a tooth-brushing timer (or tooth-brushing app), a singing toothbrush, or cute brushes featuring your child’s favorite character. You can also try a rewards chart for older kids, or read books about the importance of brushing teeth. Essentially, don’t be afraid to do what you need to do to ensure your new routine sticks.  In my home, we went through about six types of kids’ toothpaste before we found one my son liked, at which point it became a lot easier to get him to actually brush twice a day without a fight.

• Establish a schedule that works for you — and stay consistent. As with taking a bath or putting on your shoes, make sure brushing and flossing becomes a part of your routine twice daily. It seems obvious, but the earlier you start doing this, the less of a battle it’ll become when it’s actually time to brush. In my home, we have two of my son’s toothbrushes and toothpastes and keep one of each in both the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms — he brushes downstairs before school and upstairs before bed. This is how we established the routine and what continues to work for us, and you’ll find what works for your household.

How (and when) did you get your kid to brush their teeth?

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