Tooth Brushing
Brushing & Flossing Instructions
Children's hands and mouths are different than adults. They need to use toothbrushes designed for children. Both adults and children should use brushes with soft, rounded bristles for gentle cleaning. Change to a new brush about every three months. If your child prefers an electric toothbrush they can start using this at any time.
As soon as your child's first tooth comes into their mouth you should start brushing gently twice a day, using a child's toothbrush with a small, rice-sized dab of toothpaste. By age two or three begin to teach your child to brush. You will still need to brush where they miss. At this age a small, pea-sized dab of toothpaste should be used. By using this amount of toothpaste during brushing it is safe to use fluoridated toothpastes. Make sure to keep the toothpaste out of reach of your children as too much fluoridated toothpaste is toxic.
Dentists and hygienists often advise children to use a gentle, short, back and forth motion to remove plaque at a 45 degrees angle towards teeth and gums.
- Brush the inside and outside surfaces of each tooth, top and bottom.
- Hold the brush flat on top of the teeth and brush the chewing surfaces.
- Gently brush the tongue to remove debris.
- Floss between teeth daily.
For most toddlers, getting them to brush their teeth can be quite a challenge. Some suggestions for making tooth brushing less of a battle can include:
- Let your child pick out a few toothbrushes with their favorite characters and giving them a choice of which one they want to use each time (this will give them some feeling of control over the situation).
- Let your child brush their own teeth first (you will have to "help out").
- Let your child read some children's books about tooth brushing.
- Have everyone brush their teeth at the same time.
To help your child understand the importance of brushing, it can sometimes be fun and helpful to let them eat or drink something that will “stain“ their teeth temporarily. This can be started at age 4.
It can also be a good idea to create a "tooth brushing routine" and stick to the same routine each day.