When to Begin Brushing
Once your child's teeth begin erupting, you can begin cleaning them by wiping them with a moist washcloth. As your child gets more teeth, you can begin to use a soft child's toothbrush. You should use just a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste or a non-fluoride toothpaste (like Baby OraGel) until your child is able to spit it out. Be sure to ask us about child-friendly flavored toothpaste.
For most toddlers, getting them to brush their teeth can be quite a challenge.
Some suggestions for making tooth brushing less of a battle can include:
- Letting him brush your teeth at the same time
- Letting him pick out a few toothbrushes with his favorite characters and giving him a choice of which one he wants to use each time (This will give him some feeling of control over the situation.)
- Try an inexpensive battery-operated brush to add fun to the task.
- Let him brush his own teeth first. You will likely have to "help out."
- Use child-friendly flossing aids.
- Use a stepstool and mirror to help him be proud of his results.
- Read some children's books about tooth brushing.
- Have everyone brush their teeth at the same time.
- Continue to encourage healthy habits even if your child is resistant. You will be pleased with the long-term results.
To help him understand the importance of brushing, it can be sometimes fun and helpful to let him eat or drink something that will “stain” his teeth temporarily and then let him brush them clean.
It can also be a good idea to create a “tooth brushing routine” and stick to the same routine each day. Tooth brushing charts can motivate older children, although the ultimate motivation is a parent’s joyful approval of a child who has clean teeth.
Toothbrushing Charts
Click on an image or link below to view a chart of interest:
Please note that some charts may need to be printed in Landscape mode.
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