When Should A Child Start Brushing Their Own Teeth?

Until your child is writing their name or tying their shoes, it’s important to help them brush their teeth. Dr. Fabiola Garcia recommends brushing your child’s teeth twice per day, at least two minutes at a time. Start cleaning their mouth with a soft washcloth or baby toothbrush after each feeding, then using a toothbrush exclusively as soon as their first tooth erupts. 

Start at a Young Age

Children love to mimic others. When it comes to brushing their teeth, that’s a good thing. Encourage your kids to brush their teeth as much as they like, standing beside them in the bathroom as you brush together. Or simply have a brush laying around for them to play with. Encourage them to make circular patterns on each tooth, one at a time. 

Brush After Them

As your child gets older and starts brushing on their own, make sure they’re getting all of the plaque off their teeth; try to go back and brush their teeth before bed each day. This time is the most important, as saliva flow slows down and you don’t want acids or bacteria resting in their mouth for hours at a time. 

Focus on brushing near the gumlines, where plaque tends to be the heaviest. Once your child is tying his or her own shoes, it means their dexterity is starting to improve. As you see less buildup on their teeth, you may brush them less frequently. Gradually, your child will ease into independence when it comes to dental care!

Work on Flossing, Too

No matter how great your child is at brushing their teeth, a toothbrush can’t clean between them. It’s crucial to floss at least once daily to clean the surfaces that tend to be highly cavity prone. For younger kids it’s easiest to use a handheld floss pick. But as your child starts getting their adult molars in — or by their teens — it’s best to move on to using regular string floss (or a water flosser.) 

Selecting Age-Appropriate Hygiene Aids

Making brushing fun can encourage your child to initiate brushing and flossing more frequently. Investing in an electric toothbrush or one with their favorite character on it can help get kids excited. However, you need to be sure to choose one that’s age and size appropriate. If your child still has a small mouth, opt for a smaller toothbrush. Larger brush heads easily skip over curved areas, missing teeth completely. 

Recently, the ADA changed its recommendations when it comes to the best toothpaste to use for children. Pediatric dental experts now recommend using fluoride toothpaste earlier, to help prevent tooth decay. Only a rice-grain sized amount is necessary until your child can rinse their mouth, at which point you will want to use a rice-sized amount of toothpaste. 

Oral Hygiene Education

At Fabulous Dentistry, our Houston dental team works with pediatric patients to educate them at an age-appropriate level. Using a show-tell-do approach, we’ll work with your child to help them adapt their brushing and flossing techniques (not to mention nutritional habits) to help keep their smile healthy well into adulthood. 

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in Houston, why not bring your entire family to Fabulous Dentistry instead? Contact us today to request your first visit!

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