Brushing Your Child's Teeth
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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.
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Tooth and Gum Care for Young Children
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 Children to Brush and Floss
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.
When to Call the Doctor
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.
Related Information
References
American Dental Association website. Mouth Healthy. Dental health for babies and kids. www.mouthhealthy.org/life-stages/babies-and-kids. Accessed May 25, 2023.
Dhar V. Dental caries. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 338.
Hughes CV, Dean JA. Mechanical and chemotherapeutic home oral hygiene. In: Dean JA, ed. McDonald and Avery's Dentistry for the Child and Adolescent. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA; Elsevier; 2022:chap 8.
Silva DRP. Periodontal health and disease in children and adolescents. In: Newman MG, Klokkevold PR, Elangovan S, Hernandez-Kapila YL, eds. Newman and Carranza's Clinical Periodontology and Implantology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 20.