When should I start brushing my kids teeth?

We often get asked the question “when should I start brushing my kids teeth?”

The simple answer to this is as soon as they start to erupt. However, this doesn’t mean going straight in with a toothbrush and toothpaste!

Initial eruption of baby teeth:

We strongly recommend starting with a wet cloth and wiping the erupting teeth as soon as they start to come through. Like with brushing doing this twice a day is ideal.

All we want at this stage is a gentle wipe of the tooth and gum to help remove any bacteria from the tooth surface that could eventually lead to decay.

Moving to using a toothbrush and toothpaste:

Once your kids teeth are fully erupting then we recommend starting with a very soft bristle toothbrush and a very small amount of low fluoride toothpaste.

Don’t be surprised if they resist brushing initially. Many kids will get upset by the process initially, however this will be short lived. It is far more beneficial to persevere and get them in a good routine from an early age.

If your child appears overly distressed by the process or over a longer period of time is not adapting to having their teeth brushed then we would recommend speaking with either their doctor or your family dentist.

It is important to note that some kids with neurological disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), can become distressed with teeth brushing due to sensory issues associated with these conditions. Click here to find out some information on how to help in these situations

Why is it so important to teach our kids to brush at such a young age?

We might all think that we know how to brush teeth! After all we have been doing it ourselves for years, right?

Well you would be surprised how many adults are brushing their own teeth incorrectly. Did you know it takes 2 to 3 minutes to correctly brush your teeth? However most people are only brushing their teeth for 30 seconds

Recent studies have found that 90 per cent of adults have some form of tooth decay in Australia. And we are seeing more and more kids needing to be admitted to hospital to have extensive dental treatment completed due in part to not brushing adequately.

Why do we need to brush? Well we all have millions of microscopic bacteria living in our mouth. These bacteria feed on the food that is left behind after we have eaten. The by-product that the bacteria make is acid, which is what damages our tooth enamel.

Teaching your kids to brush their teeth:

These are the basic rules to follow when teaching your kids to brush their teeth:

1. Brush twice a day: Encourage your child to brush after breakfast and before bedtime. If possible, they should also brush after lunch or sweet snacks.
2. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste: Remember, a little goes a long way.
3. Select a fluoride toothpaste: Opt for either a regular fluoride toothpaste or a low-fluoride one for children under 6 years old.
4. Teach proper brushing technique: Instruct your child to gently brush the inner surface of their teeth using short circular motions. Then, move to the outer surface and the chewing surface. Emphasize cleaning where the tooth meets the gum, as plaque tends to accumulate there.
5. Clean behind each front tooth: Guide your child to use the tip of the brush to clean behind every front tooth, both on the top and bottom.
6. Encourage gentle brushing: Remind your child to avoid being too rough. Removing bacteria and food particles doesn’t require excessive pressure and rough brushing can harm the gums.
7. Spit, don’t rinse: Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste after brushing but to avoid rinsing their mouth with water. This allows the fluoride in the toothpaste to continue protecting the teeth.
8. Brush for two to three minutes: Help your child maintain an appropriate brushing time by using an egg timer or playing their favorite song to keep track.
9. Supervise toothpaste usage: Ensure that your child uses toothpaste under adult supervision and store it out of their reach to prevent accidental ingestion.

By following these steps, you can help your child establish a proper tooth brushing routine for maintaining good oral hygiene