Tooth Brushing

Brushing & Flossing Instructions

Children’s hands and mouths are different than adults. They need to use toothbrushes specially designed for children. Both adults and children should use brushes with soft, rounded bristles for gentle cleaning and replace their toothbrush every three months.

Wipe your infant’s teeth with a soft, baby toothbrush. As babies grow, use a child’s toothbrush with a very small “smear” of toothpaste. By age two or three allow your child to “take a turn” brushing their teeth after you brush their teeth. You will still need to brush after them until they are nine or ten years old because children do not have the dexterity to brush well until around this age. Dentists and hygienists often advise using gentle, short, circular motions to remove plaque at the gumline.

Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle towards teeth and gums. Move the toothbrush back and forth with short strokes in small circles, with each stroke being about a half tooth wide.

  • Brush the inside and outside surfaces of each tooth, top and bottom.
  • Hold the brush flat on top of the teeth and brush the chewing surfaces.
  • Gently brush the tongue to remove debris.
  • Floss between teeth nightly.  You can buy the small floss sticks called “flossers” that are much easier to use.

When To Begin Brushing

Once your child’s teeth begin erupting, you need to start a routine and get them in the habit of brushing their teeth two to three times a day, ESPECIALLY at night, before bedtime.

For most toddlers, getting them to brush their teeth can be quite a challenge. Just make sure your will is stronger than their will if the toddler refuses to comply because you want them to have beautiful, healthy teeth.  Just like insisting a child takes their medicine when they are sick or putting shoes on their feet when it is cold outside, it is worth the “fight” because it is easier to prevent problems than to fix them.   If your child does resist strongly, you can do a knee to knee procedure if you have two adults in the house where one holds the child in their lap, facing them, with the child’s legs around the adult’s waist, then the other adult scoots close, knees touching.  The first adult lies the child back into the other adult’s lap for proper toothbrushing and flossing, while the first adult holds their hands still.  This allows clear access to all their teeth.  If your child is compliant, here are a few suggestions that might help them enjoy toothbrushing:

  • Let your child brush their teeth at the same time of the day, especially before they go to sleep.
  • Let your child pick out a few toothbrushes with their favorite characters, giving them a choice of which one they want to use each time.
  • Let your child “take a turn” brushing their teeth for one minute and then you “take a turn” brushing their teeth for another minute.
  • Read your child some children’s books about tooth brushing.
  • Have everyone in the household brush their teeth at the same time.

It is a great idea to create a “tooth brushing routine” and stick to it. This will help create beautiful smiles which can last a lifetime.