If you are wondering when to start brushing your child’s teeth and how to do so we have the answers for you. Oral health is vital at every age from before your child is a toddler to later on. We help you become knowledgeable about the proper methods to care for your child’s teeth and gums.
Start cleaning your children’s mouth before they have teeth. A soft baby brush or damp cloth is best used when brushing and wiping your baby’s gums and teeth. You can wrap your finger around the cloth to get a good grasp of this cleaning tool while still being gentle on your infant’s mouth. It is important to brush your kids’ teeth for them typically until they reach 3 years old. Aiding their tooth brushing from ages 3 and up, ideally until the age of 8, will help those little teeth stay healthy.
Lie your baby in a comfortable position in a space they feel at ease making sure you can see inside their mouth. Stay away from using toothpaste until your child is old enough to spit out as we do not want your child to swallow any. Hold their head at a 45-degree angle aiming to where gums meet teeth cleaning in gentle circles.
We will determine if there is any tooth decay or risk of developmental problems. If decay appears then fluoride toothpaste can be used but only in the amount the size of a grain. If risk of tooth decay is void then children up to 3 years old should only have a brush used with water. If your child is 3-6 years old than a pea size portion of fluoridated toothpaste should be used. As a parent it is important for you to ensure your child spits out all the paste.
Want an Easy Way to Floss Your Child’s Teeth? Follow the Below Steps…
Keep your children's teeth sparkling!
The length of floss used on your child should be measured by the length of their arm. As when we floss their teeth, you should wrap the floss around your middle finger leaving 2 inches between your hands. Use your index finger to guide the floss between their teeth. As you slide the floss between your child’s teeth do so in a C shape going around the base of the tooth where it connects with the gums. We want you to wipe your child’s tooth from bottom to top 2-3 times or more until sparkling clean. Floss both sides of each tooth remembering to never forget the backs of the last molars. As you move from tooth to tooth, change the part of the floss being used.
Since children do not produce as much saliva or spit as adults during sleep, it is critical they brush their teeth right before bedtime. Saliva is in our mouths for a key reason, to keep our mouths clean.
In order to keep your child’s mouth in the best shape we suggest getting a new toothbrush every 3-4 months for utmost cleanliness.
This helps avoid germs that build up in a toothbrush over time. We will give your child a toothbrush and flossing tools when they are in the dentist's chairs so these steps can be practiced before their next appointment. Healthy eating is another key in oral hygiene. Limiting sugary drinks and snacking only 2-3 times a day will help keep you and your children away from cavities and remember to visit the dentist for checkups.
Learn more about our team, our services and how we can help!
We provide dentist and physician services for families, children, adults and the elderly, making sure everyone’s needs are met. Our professional dental and primary care team will get to know you so that you feel comfortable asking us questions and being in the dentist chair. Everything we provide is for you to have a good experience during your visit.
