7 Tips for Brushing Children's Teeth

Dental or oral health is an important part of a person's total health. The practices for maintaining good oral health need to start in childhood. It is necessary to teach children at an early age on how to brush teeth correctly. Here are some tips.

1. Use a toothbrush that has gentle bristles

If a child has an uncomfortable toothbrush he or she will not like brushing teeth. A toothbrush can create a big difference in the brushing experience. Choose a small toothbrush that fits comfortably into your child's mouth. The bristles need to be soft so that the child does not over-brush and hurt the gums.

2. Use only Small Quantity of Toothpaste

Children need only a pea-sized blob of toothpaste. Too much of toothpaste can lead to too much foam which will interfere with brushing. If toothpaste is ingested by a kid, the fluoride contained in the toothpaste will make him or her sick.

3. Brushing in a Comfortable Position

If a kid is very young to know brushing, a parent can do the brushing. Choose a good, comfortable brushing position. You can stand behind or beside the child with arms reaching around. Hold the toothbrush in such a way that it is comfortable for you.

4. Use Simple Timers

Almost all family dentists recommend that brushing be done for a particular period of time, usually three minutes. This helps to make sure that all the teeth are covered by the brush and the toothpaste. You may want to get a timer to measure brushing duration. A digital timer or a simpler sand timer can allow a kid to know when to stop brushing. It is not advisable to use a timeout timer, because brushing should not be as a punishment.

5. Brush Back Teeth

The back teeth of children should be brushed first. This is where cavities tend to develop first. Focus on brushing the chewing surfaces over the teeth at the rear. The front teeth need to be brushed also.

6. Rinse Well

It is necessary to rinse thoroughly using water or mouthwash liquid. If the child swallows fluoride-based toothpaste, a condition named fluoritis can develop. This condition causes white spots to appear on the teeth.

7. Flossing

The procedure of flossing needs to be started when the child's teeth begin to touch among themselves. The rear teeth usually touch first. The process of flossing can be performed by using a dental floss or a flosser.

If your child brushes by himself or herself, you can admire the clean teeth. This will build up confidence. Children are likely to enjoy brushing when there is some kind of reward for brushing teeth.

Sources:
http://www.dentistry.com/articles/Keeping_Your_Childrens_Teeth_Healthy.aspx