Keeping Kids Teeth Clean
The best way to avoid tooth-brushing battles is by starting a brushing routine as soon as your baby's first tooth appears at around the age of six months. Cleaning your toddler's teeth needs to become part of his daily hygiene routine, in the morning and last thing before bed and is a great deal easier said than done.
How? Use a soft-bristled children’s brush with a pea-sized smear of toothpaste and brush gently but thoroughly, ensuring all teeth are covered. Your child should brush their own teeth, but brush again after they’ve finished making sure the back teeth are cleaned. A good tip is to cradle your child’s head and brush their teeth from behind – it may help you to reach the top and bottom rows.
How often? Your child should brush their teeth twice a day. The morning brush can be before or after breakfast, but tooth brushing should always be the last thing a child does before bed. This also helps them develop a routine – brushing teeth becomes associated with bedtime.
Most importantly, be the best example. Brush teeth together with your toddler as he may imitate what you do. Buy colourful, fun-looking brushes. Most first children’s toothbrushes are character-themed, but from about age 4, they can start to use electric toothbrushes and the choice goes wild and when your toddler makes the effort to brush his teeth, show some praise.
How? Use a soft-bristled children’s brush with a pea-sized smear of toothpaste and brush gently but thoroughly, ensuring all teeth are covered. Your child should brush their own teeth, but brush again after they’ve finished making sure the back teeth are cleaned. A good tip is to cradle your child’s head and brush their teeth from behind – it may help you to reach the top and bottom rows.
How often? Your child should brush their teeth twice a day. The morning brush can be before or after breakfast, but tooth brushing should always be the last thing a child does before bed. This also helps them develop a routine – brushing teeth becomes associated with bedtime.
Most importantly, be the best example. Brush teeth together with your toddler as he may imitate what you do. Buy colourful, fun-looking brushes. Most first children’s toothbrushes are character-themed, but from about age 4, they can start to use electric toothbrushes and the choice goes wild and when your toddler makes the effort to brush his teeth, show some praise.