Brushing Your Child’s Teeth
Good oral health starts at a very young age. Taking care of your child’s gums and teeth every day helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It also helps make it a regular habit for your child.
Learn how to care for your children’s teeth and gums starting when they are a newborn. When children get old enough, teach them how to brush their teeth on their own.
You should start caring for your child’s mouth when they are just a few days old.
- Gently wipe your baby’s gums using a clean, damp washcloth or gauze pad.
- Clean your baby’s mouth after every feeding and before bed.
Your baby’s teeth will start to come in between ages 6 to 14 months. Baby teeth can decay, so you should start cleaning them as soon as they appear.
- Gently brush your child’s teeth with a soft, child-sized toothbrush and water.
- Do not use fluoride toothpaste until your child is 2 years old. Your child needs to be able to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallowing it.
- For children under age 3, use just a small amount of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. For older children, use a pea-sized amount.
- Brush your child’s teeth after breakfast and before bed.
- Brush in tiny circles on the gums and on the teeth. Brush for 2 minutes. Focus on the back molars, which are most at risk for cavities.
- Use floss to clean between the teeth once a day. Start flossing as soon as there are 2 teeth that touch. Floss sticks may be easier to use.
- Change to a new toothbrush at least every 3 to 4 months.
Teach your children to brush their teeth.
- Start by being a role model and show your children how you floss and brush your teeth every day.
- Children under age 6 may be able to handle a toothbrush on their own. If they want to, it is fine to let them practice. Just be sure you follow up and brush any spots they missed.
- Show children to brush the top, bottom, and sides of teeth. Use short, back-and-forth strokes.
- Teach children to brush their tongue to keep breath fresh and remove germs.
- Most children can brush their teeth on their own by the age of 7 or 8 years.
Make an appointment for your baby to see a dentist when you see a first tooth or by age 1 year. Your child’s dentist can show you other ways to help prevent tooth decay.
References
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de Villiers TJ, Hall JE, Pinkerton JV, et al. Revised global consensus statement on menopausal hormone therapy. Climacteric. 2016;19(4):313-315. PMID: 27322027 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27322027/.
LeBoff MS, Greenspan SL, Insogna KL et al. The clinician’s guide to prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Osteoporos Int. 2022 Oct;33(10):2049-2102. PMID: 35478046 pubmed.ٍncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35478046/.
Lobo RA. Menopause and care of the mature woman: endocrinology, consequences of estrogen deficiency, effects of hormone therapy, and other treatment options. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 14.
Panay N. Menopause and hormone replacement therapy. In: Magowan B, ed. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2023:chap 9.
Stuenkel CA, Davis SR, Gompel A, et al. Treatment of symptoms of the menopause: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(11):3975-4011. PMID: 26444994 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26444994/.
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