Bridge College celebrate National Smile month

For many of the young adults we work with at Bridge College, learning to brush their own teeth without any help can be a huge milestone. Brushing your own teeth is not just about keeping them clean either; it can help young adults increase their self-confidence, which is a wonderful thing.

Here are our top five tips to teach young people how to brush their teeth:

1. Place a visual or symbolised resource above the sink, for the young person to follow. We have lots available, like this toothbrushing routine which you can download. Or you could provide simple written instructions if the young person can read. 

2.  Make it motivating! Give lots of encouragement - let them choose their own toothbrush, use an app to make it fun, play music whilst brushing or give them a small prize if they do it for an agreed period of time.

3. Try using an unflavoured toothpaste if they do not like the taste of mint or a low foam toothpaste if they do not like the standard amount of foam.

4. Model how to brush your teeth alongside the young person, then ask them to follow the visual resource whilst doing it themselves. Reduce the amount of support offered as their skills develop.

If you'd like any more information or support, you can contact the Occupational Therapy team at Bridge College.

Email: admin@bridgecollege.ac.uk