Tooth Brushing & Flossing
Brush & Floss
Everyone of all ages needs to brush and floss their teeth. From the moment your child’s first baby teeth emerge, they will need proper daily cleaning and care. Regular and consistent brushing is the only way to disrupt the buildup of damaging plaque and keep their teeth free of tartar and decay. With this care and consistency, you can also help your child establish good oral hygiene habits that will protect their teeth for the rest of their lives.
Your Child’s First Teeth
Even before their first teeth emerge, you can begin gently cleaning their gums in the morning and evening using a moistened washcloth wrapped around your finger. By doing this regularly, your child can get used to the routine and comfortable with someone else’s fingers in their mouth. Once the first teeth emerge, switch to a small toothbrush with soft bristles
Around One Year
Continue to brush your child’s teeth twice daily, once in the morning and before going to sleep. Choose an age-appropriate toothbrush with soft bristles, and a children’s toothpaste. Your dentist will discuss fluoride versus fluoride-free toothpaste for your child. Use just a tiny bit of toothpaste, literally about the size of a grain of rice. Brush your child’s teeth carefully and thoroughly, focusing on those molars. If they have teeth that touch, begin to floss between them as part of your routine. There are many tools, such as floss sticks, that can make it easier to floss a child’s teeth if necessary.
Make sure to keep your child’s toothbrush in good condition. We recommend that it be replaced every few months, or once it starts to show signs of wear. Toothbrushes should not be shared; please make sure to use a different brush for each child.
Also, it is a great idea to let your child see you brush and floss your own teeth.
At Three Years
As your child gets older, you can increase to a small pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Teaching them to spit the toothpaste out instead of swallowing it is an important step toward their independence. We suggest that you continue to brush and floss your child’s teeth because children at this age do not have the coordination to clean their teeth themselves adequately. Continue to always demonstrate good oral hygiene habits and explain to them why it is important to brush their teeth.
Six To Seven Years
Once your child has now demonstrated that they indeed can brush and floss their teeth properly on their own, you should encourage them to do so regularly. It is still recommended that parents check behind their children and brush their child’s teeth if needed, especially at nighttime. A child this age can also begin to use mouthwash. West Mobile Children’s Dentistry is happy to help you choose a rinse that is right for your child.
Keep Up the Good Work!
The most important part of teaching your child to care for their teeth is consistency. Establish with them and for them a regular, daily routine that includes tooth brushing and flossing morning and night. The more regular and consistent your routine, the more likely they are to continue it. With your care and diligence, your child will learn good oral hygiene habits to last a lifetime.
Your Child’s Dental Health is Paramount
At West Mobile Children’s Dentistry, we understand how important it is to keep children’s mouths healthy and we will teach both you and them the habits that will preserve their teeth for a lifetime. We are proud to offer the best in children’s dental care!