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children’s dentistry

Kids Teeth Cleaning Tips

It’s important for your child to establish good oral health habits from an early age. Teaching children how to clean their teeth effectively is the first step in the process.

Childrens Teeth Cleaning Tips

Choosing your child’s toothbrush

Always use a soft toothbrush on your child’s teeth. Plaque (the substance that ultimately leads to cavities) is of a soft, sticky consistency and can be removed easily from the teeth and gums with soft bristles.

If you have the choice, opt for an electric toothbrush, as they are more effective than manual ones. After use, leave the toothbrush upright in an open container to allow it to air dry between cleans. Toothbrushes should be replaced every three to four months.

Childrens Teeth Cleaning

Choosing your child’s toothpaste

It is not necessary to use toothpaste for children younger than 18 months.

Unless your dentist advises otherwise, just use water on a soft toothbrush. Then, until your child turns six, use only a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste. Most major brands have low-fluoride options that are also low foam and do not have a strong mint flavour (most children don’t like the mint).

Once a child turns six, you can begin using standard adult fluoride toothpaste. If your child does not tolerate the minty taste, you can choose a regular fluoride toothpaste that is not mint flavoured.

Early intervention

Children’s floss

To further prevent cavities developing in between your child’s teeth, daily flossing is imperative.

We recommend you floss your child’s teeth before bed each night, after brushing. Until your child reaches the age of 10 you will need to floss their teeth for them as children lack the manual dexterity to do so themselves. Start with a generous length of floss, holding it tightly between your thumbs and index fingers. Slide it gently up and down between each tooth making sure you go beneath the gum line.

How To Clean Children’s Teeth

1

Position your child and start brushing

Stand behind your child and gently tilt their head back. Begin brushing the inner and outer surfaces of their teeth and gums using small, gentle circular motions. Make sure you clean both sides thoroughly, without applying too much pressure.
2

Brush the biting surfaces

Brush backwards and forwards along the chewing surfaces of the teeth to remove any trapped food. Remember, plaque comes away easily with regular brushing, so firm pressure is not needed and may irritate the gums.
3

Brush the tongue

Finish by gently brushing your child’s tongue. If using toothpaste, your child does not need to rinse after spitting out—the small amount of fluoride left behind will help protect their teeth.
4

Supervise and check their brushing

From around age seven, most children can begin brushing independently. An adult should still check afterwards to ensure all teeth are properly cleaned and to look for any signs of plaque buildup, calculus or early decay.

Cleaning inside your child’s small mouth can prove challenging, but it is imperative that you introduce a thorough two minute clean from an early age.

How to make teeth cleaning fun 

Try some of these tips to make your child’s daily brushing routine enjoyable.  

  • Make brushing a family activity

    When your child sees the whole family brushing, they’re far more likely to join in and build healthy habits.

  • Let them choose a fun toothbrush

    Pick a toothbrush in their favourite colour or with a character they love — or better yet, let them choose it themselves.

  • Use a two-minute song

    Play one of their favourite songs that runs for about two minutes and have them brush until it ends. Finish with a fun dance to keep the experience positive.

  • Try a timer challenge

    If you’re not using music, set a two-minute timer and challenge your child to keep brushing until it rings.

  • Turn brushing into a game

    Make brushing playful by searching for “sugar bugs” or pretending to find leftover food hiding between teeth.

  • Use a reward chart

    Give your child a star each time they complete a full brush. Once they fill the chart for a month, offer a small reward to celebrate their consistency.

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