The Best Way to Brush Your Child’s Teeth

As any parent will tell you, getting a child to do anything diligently for two minutes at a time can sometimes feel like an impossible challenge. This goes double for dental hygiene, which is often something that children struggle to commit to for an extended amount of time. Moreover, even children who are willing to engage with dental care may lack the fine motor skills to brush and floss correctly.

For that reason, it’s usually necessary for parents to brush their child’s teeth for them, especially at a young age. Here’s how you can go about this to ensure that your kid’s oral health is the best that it can possibly be.

Oral Healthcare for Babies

It can sometimes be a little bit difficult for parents to know for sure when to start taking care of their child’s teeth. As a matter of fact, most dentists would recommend taking care of your child’s mouth as soon as they’re born, gently wiping your baby’s gums with damp gauze or a washcloth after feeding sessions.

After the First Tooth

Once your child’s first tooth comes in, you should start brushing it for them in order to stave off decay. In many ways, brushing your child’s teeth will be a lot like brushing your own. It’s a good idea to do it twice a day, once before breakfast and once before bed. You should use a small amount of toothpaste to clean the teeth and work the child-sized toothbrush in small circles on every surface of the tooth.

Before the age of two, it’s usually a good idea to refrain from using fluoride toothpaste for your child, as there’s a risk of them swallowing it. Under the age of 3, you should use an amount of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice, and for older children, it’s smart to use a pea-sized amount.

Transitioning to Self-Reliance

Most children are able to brush their own teeth sufficiently by the age of 7 or 8. Some kids will want to practice brushing on their own before then, and that’s fine, but it’s usually a good idea to follow up and clean any spot they’ve missed.

While taking care of your child’s teeth will take some getting used to, the process of dental hygiene isn’t all that difficult once you’ve adapted to it. And when you see your child’s healthy smile, it’ll make the work you’ve done worth it!

About Our Practice

At Stroud Pediatric Dentistry, we know that many children aren’t the most excited about the prospect of seeing the dentist. That’s why we make it a point to form a relationship with each and every one of our patients—that way, a trip to the dentist’s office can feel like visiting a place full of friends. This will make it easier to inspire your child to take charge of their oral health, both in our office and at home.

If you have any questions about how you should handle your child’s dental hygiene, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (817) 441-2425.