Teaching children how to brush effectively takes patience, practice, and example. Let's take a closer look at some of the things you should do to help teach your children to brush effectively:

    Start cleaning teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. Wipe daily with a clean, damp cloth; use a small, soft toothbrush for more teeth. If you start out practicing good dental hygiene, your child will be more likely to understand its importance, and thus, brush more effectively.
    Continue the cycle of cleaning teeth. At age 2, use a small, pea-sized dab of an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste (unless recommended otherwise by your doctor or dentist), and help your child brush his or her teeth. You can lay them down and brush for them, or you can let them brush for themselves, and then do a quick re-brush.
    Help their brushing be more effective by using the right toothbrush for their mouth size. Also, use a soft bristled brush.
    Teach them to brush the inside surface of each tooth first, where plaque may accumulate most. Brush gently back and forth. Show them how, then let them do it themselves.
    Clean the outer surfaces of each tooth. Angle the brush along the outer gum line. Gently brush back and forth. Show them by doing it for them while having them look in the mirror. Then, let them do it, and give some pointers and a lot of praise.
    Teach them to then Brush the chewing surface of each tooth. Gently brush back and forth. By showing each part of brushing in steps, your child will learn to brush their teeth systematically, which will lead to more effective brushing, and better dental habits.
    Next show them how to use the tip of the brush to clean behind each front tooth, both top and bottom.
    It is important as a part of proper and effective brushing that you teach your child to spit out the toothpaste and rinse well after brushing. If you don't, the fluoride in the toothpaste can cause staining on their teeth.
    Let them brush their tongue as well, and make it fun

Once you have practiced proper brushing technique with them, you can teach children to brush more effectively by doing the following:
    Try brushing side by side with your child. This helps them feel more a part, as well as like a big kid. Brushing with them is also a great way to model excellent dental hygiene habits. Involve other family members as well so that when you aren't home to do it, their teeth do not get neglected.
    Communicate. If you take a few moments to explain the benefits of good brushing, such as that your child will have a bright smile, a germ free mouth, healthy teeth now and in the future, etc. your child will be more excited to do a good job with brushing. However, be careful to never use a visit to the dentist as a scare tactic.
    Check for mouth injuries. Sometimes children do not brush effectively because it hurts. This could be for a variety of reasons, they may have been using too hard of bristles, brushed too hard before which caused their gums to swell, or another unrelated injury. However, if you make them brush with an injured mouth, they will be less likely to want to brush. 
    Make sure the toothbrush is the right size. Part of ineffective brushing is due to the toothbrush itself, it may be too old, or the wrong size for the child's mouth.

Obviously going to the dentist is important for oral health, but many parents do not know when to take children to the dentist. If you fit into this category, you may be asking yourself some of the following questions: When should I start taking my child to the dentist? How do I know if my child needs a dentist? How do I choose a dentist for my child? Should my child see a pediatric dentist? The list goes on. Let's try to answer some of these questions.

When should I start taking my child to the dentist?
The American Dental Association, also known as the ADA, recommends that parents take their child to a dentist around his or her first birthday. By this time children should have at least a few teeth. By going at about age one, the dentist a chance to look for early problems with your child's teeth.

Should I use a pediatric dentist?
Pediatric dentists are great for children as they specialize in treating children's dental health. However, your family dentist will also be able to treat your child, so you may want to review cost difference, experience and specialty, as well as how significant the dental problems (if any) your child has. You and your child's dentist, whichever one you choose, should review important information about diet, bottles, tooth brushing and fluoride use.

Why start seeing a dentist so young?
Visiting the dentist from a young age will help your child become comfortable with his or her dentist, and will also make your child much more conscious of their teeth, and how to properly clean them. It also establishes the good habit of regular dental check-ups.

What else should I know about my child's teeth, and seeing a dentist?
Well, obviously if your child ever has a toothache, or an abscess, seeing a dentist right away is important, however, by seeing a dentist before such problems occur, you greatly reduce the likelihood of them happening.

Good dental hygiene habits should begin before your child's first tooth comes in.
At this point you do not need a full on toothbrush, as your child will only have one or two teeth. However, good oral care starts before teeth even come in. For example, wiping your baby's gums with a soft damp cloth after feedings helps to prevent the buildup of bacteria. When teeth appear, you can either wipe them with a cloth, or start using a soft children's toothbrush twice a day.

Once your child is preschool-age, can talk, and has a better understanding of the concept of brushing teeth, you can start using fluoride toothpaste. Your child should know to spit their toothpaste out, but to be on the safe side, don't cover the brush with toothpaste; a pea-sized amount is just right.

How can I know if my child has a cavity?
You can look, cavities are holes that are formed when bacteria (germs) in your mouth use the sugar in food to make acid, which then eats away at the teeth. Cavities will appear to be brown or black spots on the teeth. Cavities are the most common disease in children. So, if your child has a cavity, take them in to your dentist, and teach them how good tooth care can keep cavities from growing. Also, limit their intake of sugary foods, beverages, etc.

Your child also might be at risk for getting cavities more easily than someone else if they were born early (prematurely) or weighed very little at birth (low birth weight), have ongoing special health care needs, or does not go to the dentist often. So, take your child to the dentist starting at age one, and return every six months for a checkup, cleaning, and evaluation.