What does tying shoes have to do with teeth?

Is your child is ready to brush on her own?

 
Are you still tying your kiddo’s shoes for her, or can she manage on her own? Children’s fine motor skills are not yet fully developed at a young age, so they still your need help to do things like tying shoes and brushing teeth. The ability to tie one’s own shoes acts as a gauge for when children can then begin to brush their teeth without supervision, which is typically between the ages of 7 and 8. Of course, let smaller children flex their independence by giving them the opportunity to do some brushing alone, but have an adult do a “clean sweep” at the end. Parents and caregivers can also help make brushing fun: let them pick out a toothbrush and toothpaste of their choice, and for the younger ones, sing a favorite song as they brush. Most importantly, have them brush and floss for two minutes, twice a day! Remember the rule of two’s – 2 -2- 2, brush twice a day for two minutes and visit the dentist twice a year!