How to brush teeth for kids

Brushing your child’s teeth should begin when the teeth first begin to come in, or as directed by your child’s doctor or pediatric dentist. Even before your child actually has teeth, it is important to perform mouth care. Using a damp washcloth or piece of gauze, gently rub it over your infant’s gums to help clean the mouth. A soft toothbrush, wet with water, may be used after your infant has developed some teeth. Experts advise consulting your child’s dentist regarding the appropriate time for your toddler to begin using toothpaste. Use only a very small amount of toothpaste, because young children will often swallow it, instead of spitting it out. The single best way to remove harmful plaque — a thin, sticky film loaded with bacteria — from teeth and gums is to brush teeth regularly and properly.

Because every mouth is different, there is more than one technique of brushing that has proven to be effective. Deciding which technique is most appropriate for your child depends largely on your child’s teeth positions and gum condition. Consult your child’s pediatric dentist to determine which brushing technique is most appropriate for your child’s mouth.

Generally, most dentists recommend a circular technique for brushing. This includes brushing only a small group of teeth at a time — gradually covering the entire mouth. The importance of maintaining a circular or elliptical motion is emphasized, as using a back and forth motion may cause the following:

• Receding gums
• Exposed and sensitive root surface
• Wearing down of the root surfaces at the gum line

Instead, dentists recommend the following method:

• Step 1: Place the toothbrush beside the teeth at a 45-degree angle.
• Step 2: Gently brush only a small group of teeth at a time (in a circular or elliptical motion) until the entire mouth is covered.
• Step 3: Brush the outside of the teeth, inside of the teeth, and the chewing surfaces.
• Step 4: Gently brush the tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath.
• Step 5: Repeat steps one through four at least twice daily, especially after meals and snacks.

Toddler teeth need cleaning twice a day – in the morning and before bed.

Use a small, soft toothbrush designed for children under two years. Just use water on the toothbrush until your child is 18 months old, unless a dentist tells you otherwise. At 18 months, you can start using a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste, unless a dentist recommends a higher fluoride strength.

Your child can start helping to clean her teeth at around two years of age. Letting your child hold the toothbrush with you will help her feel she’s part of the action. But your child needs your help and supervision with cleaning teeth until she’s about eight years old.

The best way to brush your child’s teeth

You might like to try the following routine when brushing your child’s teeth:

1. Stand or sit behind your child so that he feels secure. Brushing teeth in front of a mirror is good too, because it lets you see your child’s mouth.
2. Cup your child’s chin in your hands with her head resting against your body.
3. Angle the bristles of the toothbrush towards the gum. Move the brush in gentle circles to clean the outer and inner sides of the teeth and gums.
4. Brush back and forth on the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
5. Gently brush your child’s tongue.
6. Encourage your child to brush without swallowing. When your child starts using toothpaste, get him to spit it out. There’s no need to rinse after brushing because the fluoride toothpaste left behind protects your child’s teeth.

If you’re using an electric toothbrush, avoid moving the brush in circles. Keep your hand still, and guide the brush across your child’s teeth and gums.
Tips to make brushing teeth easier

Toddlers often don’t like brushing their teeth. But even a quick brush is better than nothing, because it helps your child learn that brushing teeth is a normal part of her daily routine.

Children are more likely to go along with cleaning teeth if it’s fun. Here are some ideas:

• Sing while you’re brushing. You could try ‘This is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth, so early in the morning’.
• Pretend the toothbrush is a train. You could try saying ‘Toot toot chugga chugga’ as you move the brush around your child’s teeth.
• Let your child play with his favorite toy while you’re brushing.

Toddler teeth development

Children get teeth at different times, but first teeth usually appear between 6 and 10 months. In some children, teeth appear as early as three months. In others, they don’t arrive until around 12 months.

Baby teeth can arrive in any order, although the central bottom teeth are often first. All 20 baby teeth will usually arrive by the time your child is three years old.

The 32 adult teeth replace the baby teeth between the ages of 6 and 20 years.

Facts about primary or baby (deciduous) teeth

• Proper care of a child’s deciduous teeth (also known as “baby” or primary teeth) is very important, as these teeth hold space for the future eruption of permanent teeth.
• If a baby tooth decays or is removed too early, the space necessary for the permanent teeth is lost and can only be regained through orthodontic treatment.
• Infected baby teeth can cause the permanent teeth to develop improperly resulting in stains, pits, and weaker teeth.
• Primary teeth are important in speech development.
• Primary teeth aid in chewing food properly, promoting healthy nutrition.

Most children begin losing their baby teeth around the ages of five or six, with usually the front teeth first. They continue to lose baby teeth until the age of 12 or 13 when all of the permanent teeth finally come through, except for the third molars (wisdom teeth). These molars begin to appear around the ages of 17 to 21.

Figure 1. Baby teeth

Dental health in children

Birth to six months of age

• Clean the infant’s mouth with gauze or use a soft infant toothbrush after feedings and at bedtime.
• Consult your child’s dentist regarding fluoride supplements.
• Regulate feeding habits (bottle-feeding and breastfeeding).

Six to 12 months of age

• During this time, the first tooth should appear. Consult a pediatric dentist for an examination.
• Brush teeth after each feeding and at bedtime with a small, soft-bristled brush and baby paste without fluoride.
• As the child begins to walk, stay alert for potential dental and/or facial injuries.
• Wean the child from the bottle by his or her first birthday. If a woman breastfeeds her child, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends breastfeeding for at least one year. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding for at least two years.

Twelve to 24 months of age

• Follow the schedule of dental examinations and cleanings, as recommended by your child’s pediatric dentist. Generally, dental examinations and cleanings are recommended every six months for children and adults.
• As your child learns to rinse his or her mouth, and as most primary (baby) teeth have erupted by this age, brushing with a pea-sized portion of fluoridated toothpaste becomes appropriate, in most cases. However, it is advised to consult your child’s pediatric dentist regarding the appropriate time for your toddler to begin using toothpaste.

What type of toothbrush should be used?

It’s important to choose the right toothbrush – one designed especially for children aged 2-5 years. A toothbrush head should be small — about 1 inch by 1/2 inch and should have a cushioned handle suitable for firm grasping. These toothbrushes also often have cartoons and fun designs on the handle, which your child might like. The bristles of the brush should be soft, nylon, and rounded at the ends. This helps ensure that the brush bristles are kind to the gums and tooth surfaces. Soft, polished bristles allow you to reach into the crevice (sulcus) between the teeth and gums to remove plaque without damaging the gums. Some brushes are too abrasive and can wear down the enamel on teeth. Thus, in most cases, medium and hard bristles are not recommended. Only gentle pressure is needed when brushing to remove the plaque. Excessive pressure can cause the gums to recede and can abrade the tooth surface.

The novelty of electric toothbrushes might also appeal to your child. Some electric toothbrushes can give a slightly better clean than manual brushes, but it’s best to go with what your child prefers.

Keeping the toothbrush clean

After cleaning your child’s teeth and gums, rinse the toothbrush with tap water.

Store the toothbrush upright in an open container to allow it to air-dry.

You should replace toothbrushes every 3-4 months, or when the bristles get worn or frayed.

How often is brushing necessary?

Generally, brushing is recommended twice a day for at least three to four minutes each time. People generally think they are brushing long enough, when, in fact, most people spend less than one minute brushing. In addition, it is generally better to brush three to four minutes twice a day instead of brushing quickly five or more times throughout the day.

Dentists advise brushing teeth during the day while at school or play. Keeping a toothbrush handy — in a desk or backpack — increases the chance that your child will brush during the day.

Which type of toothpaste is best?

Fluoride is the most crucial ingredient in toothpaste. Fluoride is a safe mineral that helps keep teeth strong and prevents tooth decay. As long as the toothpaste contains fluoride, the brand or type (paste, gel, or powder) generally does not matter. All fluoride toothpastes work effectively to fight plaque and cavities, and to clean and polish tooth enamel. The brand you choose should bear the American Dental Association seal of approval on the container, which means that adequate evidence of safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in controlled, clinical trials.

You can start using a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush from 18 months of age.

Some toothpastes offer tartar control pyrophosphates to prevent the build-up of soft calculus deposits on teeth, while others offer whitening formulas to safely remove stains, making teeth brighter and shinier. But, contrary to clever advertising and popular belief, fluoride is the true active ingredient that works the hardest to protect your child’s teeth.

How often should my child visit the dentist?

Children should visit the dentist to have their teeth checked by about 12 months of age or when their first tooth comes through, whichever happens first. This lets your child get to know the dentist. It also gives you and your dentist a chance to talk about your child’s needs and plan your child’s dental care.

Talk to your dentist about how often your child needs to return for check-ups. Dentists usually recommend every 6-12 months.