As a parent or guardian, one of your greatest responsibilities is taking care of your child’s health until they’re old enough to take on that task themselves, and their smile is no exception. Many adults assume that they don’t need to worry about their kids’ grins until they have a full mouth of teeth, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Continue reading to learn more about when and how you can begin brushing your little one’s teeth to prevent potential problems!
Infants
It’s easy to think that newborns don’t have dental concerns because they don’t have any teeth yet, but it’s still essential that they have a clean mouth. They can still develop periodontal issues, which can spread to their jawbone and negatively impact the formation of their enamel or how their teeth grow in.
Thankfully, you don’t have to do much to keep your baby’s mouth in good shape. You won’t need a toothbrush or toothpaste to start with, because there are no pearly whites to scrub yet. Instead, you can gently wipe your child’s gums twice daily with a soft, moistened washcloth, a clean paper towel, or a folded piece of gauze. This removes bacteria that can cling to their connective tissues and contribute to dental disease.
Then, you should schedule their first dental appointment when their first tooth arrives, usually around 1 year old.
Toddlers
You can begin consistently brushing your child’s recently erupted teeth twice daily as soon as they arrive. It’s usually not hard to find a variety of small-headed, soft-bristled, brightly decorated toothbrushes intended for still-developing smiles.
If your child is too small to spit toothpaste out, you can gently scrub the surfaces of their pearly whites with warm water. Otherwise, you can use a dollop of kid’s fluoride toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) to strengthen their enamel while removing leftover food, plaque, and bacteria that cause dental problems.
Children
As your child grows, they’ll gradually start brushing and flossing their teeth on their own. The American Dental Association recommends replacing their toothbrush every three to four months, or when the bristles wear down, to ensure they get a thorough clean without reintroducing old germs. You might purchase floss picks that are easier for smaller hands to manipulate than glossy string to clear below their gumline.
You should also schedule a routine checkup and cleaning with their dentist every six months. This ensures their provider can catch and address any areas of concern, like thinning enamel, before it progresses.
Regular visits also teach them the importance of consistently caring for their smile!
About the Practice
At Cove Choice Dental, you and your family benefit from a team of dentists dedicated to helping people of all ages enhance their lives by improving their dental health. They share decades of combined experience providing a comprehensive menu of services to address all your needs at one convenient location. Then, they combine a compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to keep you comfortable while delivering accurate results. Whether your child needs basic preventive care or has a cavity or gum disease that needs to be treated, they are happy to help! You can request an appointment on the website or call (254) 987-6777.