Your Child Tooth Brushing

You can start brushing your child’s teeth when the first baby tooth appear in his mouth

• Use a smear sized amount of age appropriate fluoride toothpaste onto a soft children’s toothbrush under 3 years, and a pea-sized amount for children between 3-8 years old. Fluoride in the right amount is safe and effective in preventing and controlling tooth decay; and fluoride toothpaste is recommended twice daily.
• Angle the bristles of the toothbrush towards the gum. Move the brush in gentle circles to clean the outer sides of the teeth and gums.
• The best way to brush your child’s teeth is in a circular motion with a soft toothbrush of age-appropriate size and all surfaces of all teeth should be brushed to help removing food and reduce bacteria plaque levels.
• Your child can start brushing their own teeth when they can hold a brush well. However, this does not mean that they will brush well and there is no specific age when a child will do this. Supervision and assistance is needed for all children and can in some instances, continue into adolescence.
• Brush your child’s teeth twice a day – in the morning and just before bed. Spend 2 minutes brushing, concentrating a good portion of this time on the back molars. This is an area where cavities often first develop.
• Replace the toothbrush every 3 or 4 months, or sooner if it shows signs of wear. Never share a toothbrush with others.
• Start flossing your child’s teeth once a day as soon as two teeth emerge that touch. The use of floss sticks or picks instead of regular string floss may be easier for both you and your child.
• Remember that the best way to teach children how to brush their teeth is to lead by example.
• From the age of 7 – 8 years your child can start brushing and flossing on their own.