Wellness - Dental Care | 0-3 yrs
Toddler Toothbrushing: For Strong, Shiny Teeth
ParentCircle
Good dental care habits in toddlers should start early for poor oral health can impact a child’s quality of life in many ways. But, getting toddlers to brush their teeth properly is a challenge for all parents.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 23% of children between the ages 2 -11 years have untreated dental cavities. This makes it all the more essential to teach your child proper brushing techniques at an early age.
In the article, ‘Teaching your children how to brush and floss,’ published in Colgate oral care center, Yolanda Eddis says you must assist your toddler during the initial stages of toothbrushing. Teach your little one to brush and floss by following these steps:
- Use a soft bristle toothbrush. Make sure the size of the toothbrush head is suitable to your child’s age and the size of the mouth.
- To brush your toddler’s teeth properly, hold the brush against the gums at an angle of 45 degrees.
- Move the toothbrush gently using short strokes.
- Do not forget to brush the tongue to get rid of the bacteria.
Do not forget to teach your toddler to brush the inner surfaces of his teeth. Failure to do so might result in bad breath, gum disease or cavities. Papandreas Orthodontics suggests one way to make your toddler develop the habit of brushing the inner surfaces of his teeth—encourage him to practise brushing his teeth in front of a mirror daily.
Want to know more tips that will help your toddler brush his teeth in a correct manner? Go through this ClipBook which showcases excellent articles on toothbrushing to ensure your child has good oral health.
Use A Tooth Brush With Soft Nylon Bristles And A Small Head
With so many tooth brushes available in the market today, it is difficult for you to select the ideal one for your baby. Stick to a soft-bristled tooth brush so it will not hurt your toddler.
Use A Fluoride Toothpaste To Remove Plaque And Strengthen Enamel
Make sure your toddler brushes with fluoride toothpaste, which has the topical effect of making the teeth stronger. Here, the fluoride is absorbed into the enamel of your toddler's teeth making them resistant to the acid in the mouth.
Brush With A Short, Circular Motion And Not Across The Teeth
Learning good dental hygiene habits at a young age is important for long-term oral health. Since your little one may not know how to brush his teeth properly, you can teach him how to brush the first few times.
Brush The Inner Surfaces Of The Teeth Too
Is your toddler forgetting to brush the inner surfaces of his teeth? This can lead to problems like bad breath, gum disease or cavities. The best way to correct this problem is by starting your child's toothbrushing with brushing the inner surface...
Brush For A Minimum Of 3 Minutes
If you're concerned about good oral hygiene in your toddler, you may wonder for how long he should brush his teeth for best results. Many dentists agree that proper brushing takes at least 2 minutes. According to Dr. Anna Guarna, a dentist in Conn...
Brush The Tongue Gently
If there is no tongue cleaner available at home, use a toothbrush to clean the tongue. When your child has finished brushing his teeth, instruct him to brush the tongue mildly starting from the back all the way to the front, including the side por...
Rinse With Water And Spit It Out After Brushing
According to a study published in 'Carefree DENTAL,' there might be a relation between the caries activity and the retention of fluoride after brushing. Rinsing the mouth with water after brushing should be reduced to a minimum in order to get the...
Replace The Tooth Brush Every 3 To 4 Months
Your child's oral health is important. Regular brushing and flossing can help her have healthy teeth and gums. For effective oral hygiene habits, your toddler needs a tooth brush that is in good shape. The link below gives you some compelling reas...
