Regular removal of plaque through brushing is essential for keeping children’s baby teeth healthy. Brushing effectively prevents the buildup of bacteria that cause cavities. Here is clinical guidance from Tandliv’s specialists on an optimal brushing routine.
When should you start brushing a baby's teeth?
Parents should start brushing their child’s teeth morning and night as soon as the very first baby tooth breaks through the gums. This typically happens when the child is between 4 and 8 months old. During this period, the child may experience sore gums and increased saliva production. To best understand the symptoms and the process, we recommend reading our comprehensive guide to teething in babies.
How do I brush my child's teeth?
Parents should start brushing their child's teeth as soon as the very first tooth begins to erupt. This usually happens when the child is around 4-6 months old. However, this can vary, so remember to check your child's tooth eruption.
It's important to be systematic when brushing your teeth so you don't miss any teeth. Teeth should be brushed morning and evening.
The technique is easy: brush in small circles (with rubbing movements). The smaller the circles the better and concentrate on one tooth at a time. Brush 6-10 circles and then move on to the next tooth. Remember to brush so that the gums at the neck of the tooth are also included.
How to get all the way around:
- Start by brushing the chewing surfaces of the upper and lower mouth so that the fluoride from the toothpaste is distributed throughout the mouth. Don't make rubbing movements here, but brush back and forth.
- When brushing the outside of the teeth, you can use your finger to hold out your cheek and ask your child to close their mouth slightly, otherwise it can be difficult to get the toothbrush far enough back.
- When brushing the inside of the teeth, the child has to yawn high up to get better access.
- At the front teeth in the upper mouth, the lip is lifted up so you can see better. In the same way in the lower mouth.
- Not everywhere the toothbrush can reach. That's why it's necessary to floss. With a gentle sawing motion, floss is guided up through the contact surface of the teeth and down each side of the gums.
Emerging teeth that are not yet level with the other teeth can be brushed by rotating the toothbrush and brushing across the row of teeth. Read more about teething in babies and young children here.
When can children brush their own teeth?
Children can't be responsible for brushing their own teeth until they are 10-12 years old. Before that age, a child doesn't master the fine hand movements required to brush their teeth properly and also struggles to systematically get around to all teeth.
Until then, it's fine to let your child try brushing on their own, especially if they show interest in it. However, we recommend that you always brush afterwards. This will minimize the risk of your child developing tooth decay.
It's important that your child continually tries to brush their teeth on their own and learns the motor skills for the correct movement. As they get older, you can arrange with your child that they brush in the morning and you do it in the evening.
Once you feel the technique is mastered, it's a good idea to control the toothbrushing with colored tablets before leaving the toothbrushing to the child alone.
Step-by-step: Proper technique, timing, and dosage
- Start on the chewing surfaces: Brush back and forth in both the upper and lower jaws to distribute the fluoride. Here, you should not make circular motions.
- The outer surface of the teeth: Place a finger against the child’s cheek and ask the child to close their mouth slightly to ensure full access. Brush systematically using gentle scrubbing motions; make 6–10 small circles per tooth, and brush all the way down to the gum line.
- The inside and the front teeth: Let the child open their mouth wide. When cleaning the front teeth, lift the upper and lower lips to thoroughly clean the area where the teeth meet the gums..
- Dental floss for interdental spaces: A toothbrush can’t reach between your teeth. Guide the floss in with a gentle sawing motion up along the contact surface of your teeth and down along each side of the gum line to effectively remove hidden plaque.
What NOT to do when brushing your child's teeth
- Do not rinse your mouth with water: After brushing their teeth, children should not rinse their mouths with water. The water washes the protective fluoride away from the enamel, completely negating its preventive effect. Instead, simply have the child spit out the excess toothpaste.
- Do not use a hard-bristled toothbrush: Stiff bristles damage both the delicate milk enamel and the gums. Use only a small, soft toothbrush that can be gently maneuvered around the entire mouth.
Zohair Azzouzi’s 3 clinical tips for parents
- Availability and dosage: Keep the toothbrush visible and easily accessible in your daily routine. Always have an adult apply and control the amount of fluoride toothpaste to avoid overuse and the risk of dental fluorosis.
- Floss on a handle: Make flossing a regular part of your daily routine. Using floss on a handle makes it easier to perform the motion and ensures proper cleaning.
- Parent-assisted brushing until age 13: Children do not master the fine hand movements required to brush their teeth systematically until around age 10–12. Parents should actively assist and follow up by brushing their child’s teeth at least a couple of times a week, right up until the child turns 13.
Can children get too much toothpaste?
The short answer is yes - kids can have too much toothpaste.
If children consume too much toothpaste, they are at risk of developing dental fluorosis, a condition that disrupts the enamel mineralization of permanent teeth.
The result can be whitish changes on the tooth surface and in cases of severe dental fluorosis, it can result in brown spots and a pitted tooth surface.
However, fluoride is a well-documented tooth decay fighter, so daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste should not be avoided. You just need to be mindful of the amount of toothpaste you use while your teeth are still forming.
