Many parents ask us what they can do to help their child maintain healthy teeth for as long as possible. For this reason, we decided to start a series in which we explore different aspects of children’s dental care. We hope to provide parents with useful information!
When and how should we start brushing our child’s teeth?
The first baby teeth usually appear at around six months of age, and this is when you can start cleaning them. When choosing a toothbrush, it is important that it has a small, rounded head, soft bristles that do not irritate the baby’s gums, and a handle that is easy to hold. Of course, an attractive design also helps to make toothbrushing more appealing for children. Apply a pea-sized amount of children’s toothpaste with reduced fluoride content to the toothbrush. Until the age of two, brush the teeth once a day, preferably before bedtime, and after that twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Do not forget to replace worn toothbrushes every three months.
All this may not sound too complicated. But what should we do if our child does not want to let us clean their teeth? Here are a few tips to help make toothbrushing more enjoyable:
- Be patient. Even if thorough brushing does not succeed at first, it will improve with time.
- Try to make toothbrushing part of the daily routine, as children accept it more easily this way.
- Brush your teeth together as a family – a good example is always contagious. It can even be fun to brush each other’s teeth.
- A colourful toothbrush, fun mirror stickers and pleasantly flavoured toothpaste can make brushing more enjoyable. It is a good idea to choose these together in the shop.
- For very young children, you can initially use a damp cloth to clean their teeth, applying a small amount of toothpaste to it. You can also give them a toothbrush just to chew on and get used to. Training toothbrushes combined with teething rings and easy two-hand grips are especially suitable for this purpose.
