I Had to Teach Her How to Brush Her Teeth

Teaching someone how to brush their teeth can be a surprisingly delicate and important task, especially when it’s a young child or someone who’s never learned the right way. I had to teach her how to brush her teeth, and it turned out to be a mix of patience, creativity, and a little bit of fun.

At first, she didn’t really understand what the toothbrush was for or how to use it properly. So, I started by showing her how to hold the toothbrush at a slight angle—about 45 degrees—to the gums. This angle helps clean not just the teeth but also the gum line, where plaque likes to hide. I demonstrated gentle circular motions, not the harsh back-and-forth scrubbing that many people think is right. It’s important to be gentle to avoid hurting the gums but thorough enough to clean every surface—the front, back, and the chewing parts of the teeth.

To make it easier for her to learn, I broke the process down into small sections. Instead of trying to brush all her teeth at once, we focused on a few teeth at a time. I even sang a slow “Happy Birthday” song twice—once for the top teeth and once for the bottom—to make sure she brushed long enough. This little trick helped her understand how much time to spend brushing.

Another key part was making the experience positive. I held her close so she felt safe and secure, keeping eye contact to build trust. We also went toothbrush shopping together, and she picked a colorful brush with her favorite cartoon character on it. That made her excited to use it. Praising her every time she did a good job turned brushing into a moment of pride rather than a chore.

I also made sure to brush my own teeth alongside her. Kids learn a lot by watching, so seeing me brush helped her understand that it’s a normal, everyday thing. Sometimes, we even pretended to be dentists, which made the whole routine feel like a game.

Teaching her how to brush her teeth wasn’t just about cleaning; it was about building a habit and making her feel confident in taking care of herself. It took time, but with patience and a little creativity, she learned to brush well and even started to enjoy it.