It can be a real hassle getting children to brush their teeth every morning and night, and even after making sure your kid is brushing, your job still isn't over. You don't just need to make sure they're brushing – you also need to make sure they are brushing properly.

Here are four common errors to watch out for.  

1. Brushing Too Hard

Children can often be far too rough when they're brushing their teeth, going at it as if they want to brush them clean away. Unfortunately, that can be just what happens. Your child isn't going to be able to brush down to the root, but brushing too hard does cause wear to surface enamel, and it can also cause the gums to recede, which leads to periodontal disease and cavities. Make sure your child isn't pressing down too hard while cleaning their teeth. If they're exerting enough pressure to cause the brush to bend, they're almost certainly going too hard.

2. Swallowing Toothpaste

It isn't a big deal if your child occasionally swallows down a little toothpaste by accident, but this should never be considered acceptable behaviour when done on a regular basis. Toothpaste isn't poisonous, but it does contain compounds that can give your child a sore stomach. Regular swallowing will even cause too much fluoride to be built up within the blood, which can negatively affect the growth of adult teeth.

3. Brushing Right After Eating

Children might not be too discerning about the time they brush, but you should make sure they don't tackle their teeth until at least an hour after eating. This is because your teeth are actually a little softer after eating, so brushing can damage the enamel. Unfortunately, kids can forget about this rule, and they can also snack before bedtime and forget to count that as proper eating. Monitor when they eat anything to make sure they are leaving an appropriate amount of time before brushing.  

4. Missing Key Areas

Let's face it: brushing your teeth is never fun. This is one of the main reasons why many kids will try to skip brushing altogether, but even those who diligently take the task on twice each day can get a little sloppy. You need to make sure all the teeth are being brushed, so make sure you check on your kid's technique every now and then to make sure they aren't just going over the ones at the front.