Care of Your Child's Teeth

Begin daily brushing as soon as your child's first tooth erupts. The first few teeth can be cleaned with a soft cloth, gauze or finger brush. As the molar teeth erupt, a toothbrush is needed to clean the grooves thoroughly. The average child does not develop the small motor skills and coordination for thorough brushing until about age seven. However they will not develop these skills without practice. It is recommended that your child's teeth are brushed morning and night. Once a day, your child may brush by themselves. The other brushing should be done by a parent. Even beyond age seven there should be occasional adult supervision. Each child is different and your dentist can help you determine your child's skill level. Use a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and encourage your child to spit out the excess. If you child is under three years old, you may want to use a non fluoride toothpaste if they tend to swallow during brushing.

Proper brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces. When teaching children to brush, place toothbrush at a 45 degree angle; start along gum line with a soft bristle brush in a gentle circular motion. Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower. Repeat the same method on the inside surfaces and chewing surfaces of all the teeth. Finish by brushing the tongue to help freshen breath and remove bacteria.

Flossing removes plaque between the teeth where a toothbrush can't reach. Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch. You should floss the child's teeth until he or she can do it alone. Use about 18 inches of floss, winding most of it around the middle fingers of both hands. Hold the floss lightly between the thumbs and forefingers. Use a gentle, back-and-forth motion to guide the floss between the teeth. Curve the floss into a C-shape and slide it into the space between the gum and tooth until you feel resistance. Gently scrape the floss against the side of the tooth. Repeat this procedure on each tooth. Don't forget the backs of the last four teeth.

For information on special oral health care needs, we've provided links to the following sites:

National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research
Resource & Information on Cleft Lip & Palate
National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias