Tooth Brushing

Brushing & Flossing Instructions

Children’s hands and mouths are different than adults. They need to use toothbrushes designed for children. Both adults and children should use brushes with soft, rounded bristles for gentle cleaning. Change to a new brush about every three months.

As babies grow, use a child’s toothbrush with a tiny, dab of toothpaste. By age two begin to teach your child to brush. Taking turns works best. You will still need to brush where they miss.

Hold the brush at a 45 degrees angle towards teeth and gums. Move brush back and forth with short, circular strokes, about a half tooth wide.

• Brush the inside and outside surfaces of each tooth, top and bottom.
• Hold the brush flat on top of the teeth and brush the chewing surfaces.
• Gently brush the tongue to remove debris.
• Floss between tight teeth daily.

When To Begin Brushing

Once your child’s teeth begin erupting, you can begin cleaning them by wiping them with a moist washcloth. As your child gets more teeth, you can begin to use a soft child’s toothbrush. You should use just a touch of toothpaste until your child is able to spit it out

For some toddlers, getting them to brush their teeth can be quite a challenge. Some suggestions for making tooth brushing less of a battle can include:

• Let your child brush your teeth at the same time.
• Let your child pick out a few toothbrushes with his favorite characters and giving him a choice of which one he wants to use each time (this will give him some feeling of control over the situation).
• Let your child brush his own teeth first (you will likely have to “help out”).
• Let your child some children’s books about tooth brushing.
• Have everyone brush their teeth at the same time. Kids want to do what their older brothers and sisters do.

It is a good idea to create a tooth brushing routine and stick to that same routine each day.