When can kids brush their own teeth?

Dentist Gina Gonzalez, DDS, shares advice for parents on the best age to begin letting your children brush their own teeth, and how to teach them to brush their teeth
When Can Kids Brush Their Own Teeth - Dental Health for Kids
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When can kids brush their own teeth?

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Children can brush by themselves at age three or four, and they should be encouraged to do so. And we encourage them to even before that, hold a brush and use it in their mouth. But they can't fully brush all of their teeth until age three or four. Fine motor skills develop as the years go by, and children at about six or seven are much more capable of fully brushing. So until the, the parents should monitor the progress and parents should do a follow-up brushing with their children until they're really able to get all their surfaces of their teeth cleaned on their own.

Dentist Gina Gonzalez, DDS, shares advice for parents on the best age to begin letting your children brush their own teeth, and how to teach them to brush their teeth

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Gina Gonzalez, DDS

Dentist

Dr. Gina Gonzalez, DDS has been interested in dental care most of her life. She started working as a dental assistant in high school.  After graduating, she pursued her career by attending the University of Southern California from which she earned a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 1982.  She was involved in creating new standards for dental hygiene in Spain where she also developed a dental hygiene school.

Dr. Gina Gonzalez earned her doctorate of dental surgery from the USC School of Dentistry in 1991.  As a lifelong learner, Dr. Gonzalez continues to study preventive and esthetic dentistry at renowned educational institutions all over the United States.  Her certifications include CEREC technology and Invisalign.  In addition to providing superb dental services to patients in her office, she dedicates her knowledge and skill to many philanthropic projects in the community and worldwide.  Annually, she is involved in a dental mission to Guatemala in which she provides dental care to people who would go without it otherwise.  She also regularly serves the elderly in Southern California through the Oral Eldercare Program. Dr. Gina Gonzalez is part of the USC School of Dentistry Board of Directors and is a member of the American Dental Association and the California Dental Association.   

In her leisure time, she enjoys Salsa dancing, participating in the art of Krav Maga and entertaining her two wonderful daughters.

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Transcription: 
Children can brush by themselves at age three or four, and they should be encouraged to do so. And we encourage them to even before that, hold a brush and use it in their mouth. But they can't fully brush all of their teeth until age three or four. Fine motor skills develop as the years go by, and children at about six or seven are much more capable of fully brushing. So until the, the parents should monitor the progress and parents should do a follow-up brushing with their children until they're really able to get all their surfaces of their teeth cleaned on their own.