Is Your Child Old Enough to Brush Their Own Teeth?

Do you let your young child brush their own teeth? Many parents see independent teeth brushing as a rite of passage during toddlerhood or early childhood, but letting your little one brush alone too early could be a big mistake for his or her dental health.

Why Shouldn't They Brush Alone?

Brushing your teeth may seem easy as an adult, but developing children can find it very difficult to brush correctly and keep their mouths healthy. In one study conducted for a dental journal, researchers found that 5-year-olds only brushed 25% of the surface of their teeth, while 11-year-olds only brushed 50% and those between the ages of 18 and 22 only brushed 67%. 

While brushing your child's teeth until they're in their 20s is certainly overkill, you can ensure they brush adequately in their later years by continuing to brush for them or closely supervising them until they're ready to do it alone.

When Can They Start Brushing Independently?

Of course, the question on many parents' lips is “when is a child old enough to brush their own teeth without supervision?” Unfortunately, there's no set age at which a child becomes magically competent at oral hygiene.

While many children reach this point at around 8 or 9 years of age, your child's ability to brush independently will depend on whether they've hit the necessary milestones that show they're able to handle all the aspects of keeping their teeth healthy without a parent's help.

Here are the three main milestones to look out for in your child's development. When your child meets these criteria, they're ready to start brushing on their own.

1. Developed Fine Motor Skills

“Motor skills” is a child development term that refers to your little one's ability to direct their own movement efficiently. Motor skills are split into two broad categories: gross motor skills, which involve large bodily movements, and fine motor skills. Fine motor skills involve smaller actions, often involving the use of a child's hands and fingers.

Holding a toothbrush, applying pressure, and moving it in the right way are all examples of fine motor skills. As a result, children need to develop and improve this skill area sufficiently before they can brush their teeth correctly.

You can tell if your child has developed fine motor ability by observing them in other areas of daily life. As an example, children who have learned to handwrite clearly, eat with cutlery, fasten bows and shoelaces and cut with scissors are probably developed enough to brush their own teeth. 

2. Interest in Hygiene

You've probably noticed that younger children are more likely to be dirty than older children, but it's not just because they're physically not old enough to clean themselves. Younger children also tend to be less interested in personal hygiene. Even if your child is old enough to keep themselves clean, do they care about doing so?

When you leave your child to brush without supervision, you need to trust that they're doing it properly, or even doing it at all. The best way to feel confident that they'll brush when you're not there is to make sure they're interested in keeping themselves clean at other times.

For example, does your child like taking baths or showers, or do they throw a tantrum when it's time to wash? Do they wash their hands after messy play or before eating without being told to? Do they remember to blow their nose into a tissue and cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing? Do they need to be reminded to change their underwear or put on new clothes after getting dirty?

If your child isn't being independent in other areas of personal hygiene, they may not be ready to start brushing their own teeth just yet.

3. More Responsible Behaviour

Brushing teeth twice a day requires a great deal of discipline and responsibility for a young child. Responsibility is another area where children mature at different rates. If you want to be sure your child will brush their teeth when they're supposed to, you'll need to ensure they're already showing signs of being responsible.

Some examples of responsible behaviour include finishing homework on time without being pressured and completing regular chores. Your child may also begin to take actions like getting their own snacks or drinks when they want them or choosing their own outfit for the day. Generally, when your little one is following instructions, managing their time, taking care of themselves and being trustworthy, they should be responsible enough to brush their teeth without your help.

Whether your child is handling their own dental hygiene or not, remember that brushing is only one necessary component of keeping teeth healthy. Your child should also have regular dental check-ups to ensure their oral health is in top condition. If you're looking for high-quality family dental care in South Penrith, book an appointment with Drs. Phoebe and Foley.