Being a parent for the first time comes with a lot of questions. How often should my baby eat? How much sleep should they get? How do I brush my child’s teeth? Lucky for you, we can help with that last one. This guide will show you how to care for your little one’s oral health throughout the different stages of their development.
Before Their Teeth Come In
You can start practicing proper oral hygiene habits with your baby as soon as you come home from the hospital. To clean your little one’s mouth, take a wet, warm washcloth and wipe all over their gums. Even from this young age, bacteria can build up on their gums and cause problems for their baby teeth when they start coming in. Clean their mouth after every meal and every night before bed.
When They Get Their First Tooth
As soon as your child’s first tooth erupts, you can introduce a soft-bristled toothbrush into the mix. However, keep using the washcloth to clean their gums until the rest of the teeth come in. Be sure to use children’s toothpaste, as they may appreciate the flavor more so than adult toothpaste. Also, only use an amount of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice, and clean every side of the tooth.
One Year Old
By your child’s first birthday, you should book an appointment with a pediatric dentist to make sure their oral health is doing well. Even if you don’t think there’s anything wrong with your baby’s mouth, it never hurts to have a dentist make sure everything is going swimmingly. Getting a visit in this early will make future visits much easier.
Three Years Old
Once your little one reaches three years of age, they can start using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste with fluoride. Although they will likely still need you to brush for them, they will start to get more familiar with the process.
When They Can Hold a Toothbrush
Your child will be ready to start brushing on their own when they:
- Can hold the toothbrush by themselves
- Have the dexterity to move it inside their own mouth
- Don’t need help spitting into the sink
When all these requirements have been met, they can begin taking care of the task on their own. Of course, you will need to still supervise them to make sure they are doing it correctly and prevent them from injuring themselves.
When They Can Handwrite
As a general rule, by the time children are old enough to handwrite, they can brush their teeth by themselves. This should be around age 5-7. Although they won’t need supervision all the time, it’s a good idea to check on them every once in a while to make sure they don’t forget to brush or rush through the task.
Being a new parent can be confusing and stressful, but taking care of your little one’s oral hygiene shouldn’t be that hard, especially if you follow the steps in this guide. Be sure to schedule a checkup with a pediatric dentist by the time they’re one, and book an appointment every six months after that.
About the Author
Dr. Lily is a board-certified pediatric dentist who has a passion for helping children, particularly those with special needs. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She currently treats young patients at Shiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Garland, TX. To book your little one’s first dental checkup and get more useful tips, check out Dr. Lily’s website or call her office at (469) 925-0861.