At what age do children need to start brushing their teeth?
Parents should begin to brush their children’s teeth once their first tooth begins to erupt; this can vary from case to case, but commonly, the milk teeth begin to erupt from around the age of 6 months.
Dental care for children should start as the first tooth begins to erupt, which will allow the dentist to accurately monitor the health and growth of the teeth throughout childhood. Ultimately, protecting the teeth and aiding in the prevention of any issues through early detection.
How to brush a child’s teeth
0-3 years old
From the ages of 0-3 years old, your child will need a parent or guardian to brush their teeth for them, to ensure the teeth are thoroughly cleaned. To brush a young child’s teeth, you will need to use a soft-bristle brush designed for babies and toddlers.
Use a toothpaste designed for this age group, as it will typically have 1000 ppm of fluoride in it. This is crucial as it prevents decay and strengthens the teeth. Some dentists may advise using a stronger toothpaste with the fluoride count between 1350 ppm and 1500 ppm.
When applying the toothpaste, use a very small amount, and swipe against the toothbrush in a space no longer than half the size of the child’s toothbrush, approximately 1cm in length. Young children do not need a pea-sized amount, so use sparingly, think of pressing the tube closer so that it doesn’t form a blob on the brush.
You should brush the child’s teeth for approximately 2 minutes, doing this right before sleep and in the morning. Make sure to keep toothpaste out of reach of young children, as toothpaste should not be consumed.
3-6 years old
Children between the ages of 3-6 can begin to use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when brushing their teeth. Parents and guardians are advised to still brush during this period, ensuring the teeth are properly cleaned.
The teeth should be brushed for 2 minutes, twice a day, like with a younger child during the evening before bed, and in the morning before or after breakfast. It’s important at this age to teach the child to spit out any remaining toothpaste residue, whilst avoiding rinsing the mouth. This allows the fluoride to fight bacteria and strengthen the enamel.
Children from the age of 7 onwards
By the time a child reaches the age of 7, independent toothbrushing is encouraged, along with the supervision of a parent or guardian. The process should remain the same, brushing for around 2 minutes twice a day, spitting the residue out and then avoiding rinsing.
For this age group, utilising a toothpaste with a higher count of fluoride, one containing anywhere between 1350 ppm and 1500 ppm. The tube will state how much fluoride it contains, so check the labels before purchasing.
How to teach a child to brush their teeth.
When teaching a child how to brush their teeth, we recommend getting your toothbrush out and demonstrating. This allows you to demonstrate and have the child follow you as you do it. Using a mirror is another great way to get the child to identify which teeth they’re cleaning.
A good way to assist in this process is by demonstrating the gentle but firm pressure needed to be applied to brush the teeth effectively. You can do this by guiding their hand with yours, in this process you can also show the motions they can use to clean the surface of the teeth.
We recommend using a timer, like an hourglass timer or an egg timer- this helps them to keep track of how long they need to brush their teeth for. During this time, remind them not to run around or jump, as they could get seriously hurt themselves with a toothbrush still in their mouth.
The importance of good oral hygiene in children
Creating a routine
Instilling the importance of good dental hygiene is an essential part of maintaining healthy teeth throughout our lives. The earlier we teach children about the function of our teeth and how to properly maintain them, we can develop their knowledge and skills to keep their teeth healthy independently.
Having this ingrained in their routine from a younger age creates a solid foundation, which is more likely to be carried through into adult life.
Prevention of children’s dental decay
Children’s tooth decay is problematic; both the symptoms and treatment aren’t ideal for a child to experience. Decay should be prevented in children to protect the adult teeth below, and the dental structure needed to comfortably eat, speak and function.
The long-term consequences of untreated dental decay in children can result in the need to extract the affected teeth. This happens when the teeth become so rotted that they can no longer be saved using restorative treatments.
Establishing good dental habits from a young age sets children up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. For expert support and preventative care, our expert dental hygienists are there to assist. Discover how regular hygienist appointments can benefit your child’s oral health and book a visit today.