Toothbrushing – children 0-6 years |

Clean all surfaces of the teeth and gums twice a day: in the morning and before bed at night. Making toothbrushing part of your child’s daily routine from the start not only helps to prevent painful problems like tooth decay, but also forms the healthy habits which can set them up for a lifetime of smiles.

Choose a toothbrush that is designed for children

It should have a small head and soft bristles.

When choosing the right toothpaste, remember: from 18 months until the child turns six years old – use a small pea-sized amount of low fluoride children’s toothpaste (check on the pack) from six years of age – use a pea-sized amount of standard fluoride toothpaste.

Tip : Fruit-flavoured toothpastes have become popular in recent years.

Non-mint flavours are fine but always make sure toothpaste contains fluoride as this is the key ingredient that protects teeth against tooth decay. water, or who have a greater risk of tooth decay for other reasons, guidelines about toothpaste use may vary. For children at a higher risk of decay, the may recommend the application of a tooth mousse to make teeth stronger.

Ask your oral health professional for more information

A children’s electric toothbrush is a good alternative for some children aged older than three years and can make brushing easier and more fun. Young children aren’t able to brush their own teeth well enough so they need an adult to do it for them.

Start by finding a comfortable position

This could be with your child sitting on your lap facing away from you with their head resting against your body while you cup their chin with one hand. Brush the teeth and along the gum line to clean every tooth thoroughly (about two minutes is a good guide).

Brush gently in small circles

Brush along the inside surfaces and the outside surfaces. Brush back and forth on the chewing surfaces of teeth. After brushing, ask your child to spit out toothpaste, and not to rinse with water.

The small amount of toothpaste remaining keeps protecting teeth

If using an electric toothbrush, read the instructions before you begin. Guide the brush to your child’s teeth first, then switch it on. Move the head slowly from tooth to tooth, including brushing along the gum line (where the gum and tooth meet).

Do not press too hard or scrub, let the brush do the work. You may also want to start using products such as dental floss with your child to make cleaning between teeth a good habit from a young age.

Ask your oral health professional for advice

Encourage children to take part in toothbrushing as they get older. At around age two or three, help them develop the skill by letting them have a go first before you follow up to make sure all surfaces have been cleaned. At around the age of eight years, children have developed the fine motor skills needed for tooth brushing.

However, supervision is often needed past this age until you are sure they can do it well by themselves. Not all children will enjoy toothbrushing at first, but eventually most come to understand it as something we do every day as part of keeping our bodies healthy. Some tips to encourage toothbrushing are:

Make it fun! Sing a song
make silly noises play a children’s toothbrushing video or app - anything that will make the time enjoyable

Children like to copy others, so ask other family members to show children how they brush. There are many dental-themed story books that can be used to help teach young children about brushing teeth.

Try using two toothbrushes

One for them to hold and use and one for you to brush properly. Other children respond to ‘your turn, my turn’, where the child brushes first then the parent brushes.

If your child doesn’t like the taste of toothpaste, try brushing without toothpaste first.

Then use a small amount of children’s low fluoride toothpaste to get them used to the flavour. There are also toothpastes with fruity flavours or milder flavours which kids may like more.

If you are not having any success in the bathroom, try another location in the house.

For older children, try a reward system.

For example, mark the number of times their teeth are cleaned twice a day on a calendar and offer a reward when they reach a goal. It is recommended that children have an oral health check by the time they turn two.

This may be done by a dental professional or other health professional, such as a maternal and child health nurse or doctor. Older children should continue to have regular check-ups. Ask your oral health professional how often your child needs to have a check-up.

And community dental clinics, for eligible people.

For more information about public dental services Tel

Search function or Tel. Baby teeth Regular toothbrushing helps to remove bacteria and plaque that cause tooth decay and gum disease Brush your baby’s teeth as soon as they appear water Choosing the right brush and toothpaste for your child for children 0–18 months of age – use only water, no toothpaste For children who do not have access to fluoridated oral health professional How to brush your child’s teeth Teaching your child to brush their teeth Tips for brushing children’s teeth Dental checks for children Where to get help Your oral health professional ( dentist ) Dental Health Services Michigan provides public dental services through the Royal Dental Hospital Grand Rapids (616) 555-0200 , or 1800 833 039 outside Grand Rapids metro American Dental Association ‘Find a Dentist’ (616) 555-0200 Your maternal and child health nurse.

Key Points

water, or who have a greater risk of tooth decay for other reasons, guidelines about toothpaste use may vary
For children at a higher risk of decay, the may recommend the application of a tooth mousse to make teeth stronger
small amount of toothpaste remaining keeps protecting teeth

Toothbrushing – children 0-6 years

posted on : Monday, 1 Jan, 0001

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