How to brush children's teeth correctly: at what age can you start and why should you do it?

If parents are aware of how to properly brush their children’s teeth with a regular toothbrush, and from what age they can use toothpastes and rinses, they will be able to avoid many problems with the oral cavity in the future. Dental treatment causes severe physical discomfort for children, and the drill instills fear. For this reason, it is much more useful and enjoyable to accustom a little person to hygiene from the age of 1 than to look for ways that will help make him sit in the dentist's chair and endure a painful session of drilling carious holes.

Structural features

The process of formation of dental units in the fetus begins at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. At this moment they are most susceptible to the influence of external and internal factors. Teething, despite the generally accepted timing and sequence, can occur at different times depending on the individual characteristics of the newborn. At about 3 years of age, the formation of the mixed dentition is completely completed, and the baby has 8 incisors, 4 canines and 8 molars (20 in total).

Resembling the structure and shape of molars (consisting of enamel, dentin, pulp), baby teeth do not have the same strength, and their outer hard layer is much thinner. They also have the following features:

• small crown size;
• divergent root system, which resolves before changing the row to a permanent one;
• large volume of loose connective tissue;
• wide channels.

Many people mistakenly believe that the first dental units do not have roots, but this is nothing more than a myth. The dairy ones have exactly the same number as the regular ones.

How to choose the right toothpaste for your child -

To be honest, I have almost no idea how ordinary parents can navigate the abundance of conflicting information about the dangers and benefits of various children’s toothpastes, because up to 99% of all reviews about toothpastes on the Internet are hidden advertising or anti-advertising. In addition, the Internet has long turned into a garbage dump - after all, half of the sites contain absolutely irrelevant information that has not been updated for decades. Here are some examples.

Women's forums and blogs are filled with shocking articles about the dangers of parabens (preservatives) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), about which various horror stories have been written. For example, that parabens are carcinogenic and accumulate in tissues, destroying the lungs and brain, and also that they can disrupt the endocrine system, exhibiting estrogenic activity. Regarding carcinogenicity and organ toxicity, this is generally not true (clinical studies), but as for estrogenic activity, this is a very interesting topic.

The fact is that parabens are a whole group of substances, which includes methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isopropylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, and benzylparaben. So, toothpastes usually use only parabens with small chain sizes (these are methylparaben and ethylparaben). According to authoritative research, short-chain parabens do not have estrogenic activity at all, but long-chain parabens (for example, isobutylparaben) do.

But the most interesting thing is that the estrogenic activity of isobutylparaben is 240,000 times! less than estradiol (this is the most active female sex hormone of the estrogen group). Therefore, it may not have any clinical significance. But why it is really not advisable to include parabens in children’s toothpastes is due to possible irritation of the mucous membrane or the development of allergic reactions on the oral mucosa (according to statistics, this occurs in approximately 4% of children).

The same applies to the harm of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), the whole fault of which essentially lies only in accelerating the desquamation (desquamation) of the epithelium of the oral mucosa. Therefore, if a child uses toothpaste with SLS and has predisposing factors to the development of stomatitis or thrush, the frequency of repeated cases of stomatitis, as well as their severity, may be higher (compared to children who use toothpaste without SLS) . You can read about this in an authoritative study at the link (source), but if you don’t know English, use a browser translator.

Overall, I hope you will think about this information and begin to think more critically about information on forums and blogs. And we argue our point of view - not only with the dental education of the author of the article (with more than 20 years of experience), but also always provide links to the most authoritative clinical studies.

Now, more about choosing children's toothpaste -

On our website there is a separate article with a rating of children's toothpastes (for 2021). But in this section we would like to talk about the strategy for choosing toothpaste for children of different ages - from 0 to 2 years, from 2 to 6 years, and from 6 to 12 years. The fact is that there is a lot of outdated information on the Internet, and we want to tell you about the latest recommendations from the most reputable medical organizations. Those. everything we discuss below is recommended by the following organizations:

• "WHO" (World Health Organization),
• "EAPD" (European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry),
• "AAPD" (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry),
• "AAP" (American Academy of Pediatrics),
• "StAR" (Russian Dental Association), etc.

The main question for parents - with fluoride or without fluoride

Fluoride-containing toothpastes have high anti-caries activity (unlike calcium-containing toothpastes without fluoride), however, excess fluoride intake into the body increases the risk of developing dental fluorosis. Fluoride cannot penetrate the oral mucosa, and its entry into the body during brushing is associated exclusively with involuntary swallowing of toothpaste. The latter is possible in children under 4-6 years of age, because At this age, children have not yet developed a fully controlled swallowing reflex.

But in order for a child to develop dental fluorosis, he needs to swallow almost half a tube of toothpaste every day . But this is impossible, because The recommended amount of toothpaste is much less. And therefore, swallowing fluoride toothpaste can be dangerous - only if you live in a region with a high level of fluoride in drinking water, or if you feed your child nutritional formulas enriched with large amounts of fluoride. If these 2 main factors are absent, then swallowing a small amount of fluoride toothpaste every day will never lead to the development of fluorosis.

→ Regions with high levels of fluoride in drinking water

In short, these regions include some areas of the Moscow region, Kirov, Vladimir, Samara, Ryazan, Tver, Irkutsk, Yaroslavl, Kaluga, Kemerovo regions, as well as Karelia and the Republic of Mordovia (source - see the link above). The ideal fluoride content in tap water is 0.7 mg/l, and exceeding this figure to 1.0-1.2 mg/l already statistically significantly increases the risk of developing fluorosis.

It is also important to consider that water filtration systems operating on the principle of reverse osmosis reduce the fluoride content in water by approximately 84%, and carbon filters by at least 81% (this was proven by research by Brown MD and Aaron G., publication in the journal " Pediatr.Dent" for 1991). Therefore, even if you live in regions with a high level of fluoride in water, your child’s fluoride intake may be within normal limits (the main thing is that you do not forget to regularly change the cartridges for your filter, and also do not give it bottled or spring water).

Table 1 is the recommended total daily fluoride intake for children 0 to 19 years of age. Link to scientific publication (Source - US National Academy of Sciences).

What else is very important. The risk of developing fluorosis only exists in children between 0 and 6 years of age, with the most important period being between 0 and 2 years of age. Excess fluoride consumption after 6 years can no longer lead to the development of fluorosis in permanent teeth. Therefore, regarding the prescription of fluoride toothpaste to a child from 0 to 2 years old, it is better to consult your dentist to be on the safe side.

If your child does not have carious teeth (or there are only isolated cases of caries), in this case you can safely use calcium-containing toothpastes without fluoride , but it is imperative that it contains a high dosage of xylitol/xylitol. Xylitol is a sweetener that also has anti-caries activity, although it is less than fluoride. It is best when fluoride-free paste contains a combination of several calcium compounds at once - this can be calcium lactate, calcium pathotenate, calcium glycerophosphate and hydroxyapatite.

If your child has new carious lesions regularly, then, provided there is no excess consumption of fluoride in drinking water and milk formulas, fluoride toothpaste can be prescribed even from 0 to 2 years. Previously, the concentration of fluoride in toothpastes for children of this age was only 500 ppm, but since 2021, the WHO (World Health Organization), as well as all other organizations listed above, have changed the recommendations to 1000 ppm. The main thing is not to exceed the recommended amount of toothpaste.

Table 2 – recommended concentration of fluoride in toothpaste for children. This is data from a very authoritative organization - the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (EAPD). Link to scientific publication (source).

Therefore, it is considered safe for children 0 to 2 years of age to use toothpaste with 1000 ppm fluoride—about the size of a small pea (or a large grain of rice). For children from 2 to 6 years old, the volume of toothpaste with 1000 ppm fluoride should be about the size of a large pea. An important point - if your children's toothpaste contains only 500 ppm of fluoride, then to achieve exactly the same content of fluoride ions - you just need to use 2 times the volume of toothpaste than stated above.

Volume of toothpaste with fluoride 1000 ppm (up to 2 years, and after 2 years) –

Toothpastes if your child has frequent stomatitis -

In early childhood, children experience fairly frequent outbreaks of various forms of stomatitis on the oral mucosa. You can, of course, regularly treat aphthous and herpetic forms of stomatitis. But it is much more effective to use special toothpastes to prevent stomatitis, which increase the protective properties (local immunity) of the oral mucosa - due to the content of lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin, glucose oxidase and lysozyme. These enzymes are part of “SPLAT Junior” and “SPLAT Baby” (Fig. 12-13).

Can a child use mouthwash?

As a general rule, mouthwashes are not recommended for children under 6 years of age. It is at this age that children develop the skill of not swallowing liquids when necessary and spitting them out. It is important to note that mouthwashes are not a substitute for traditional teeth brushing. They in no way help to clean your teeth, but they help strengthen your teeth enamel due to their fluoride content.

At what age should you start brushing your child's teeth?

Cleaning should be done from the moment of teething. Newborns do not yet have a single crown, so it is enough for adults to take care of the oral cavity, including the gums.

At approximately 6 months, the lower central incisor (or two at once) emerges. From now on, he needs regular hygiene procedures.

At first, you don’t need to use the paste; you can also skip the brush by using a special silicone attachment on your finger. This way you will safely clean not only hard tissues, but also mucous membranes. This device helps relieve pain during teething and acts as a massager.

However, the issue of teaching children to clean rows on their own is controversial among leading domestic and international pediatricians.

Teeth brushing technique with toothpaste

You can start brushing your teeth with toothpaste when the child’s first incisor appears, the deadline is one and a half years. You shouldn’t wait until he develops caries due to lack of proper care.

Brushing procedure with toothpaste:

• a certain amount of paste is applied to a pre-moistened brush;
• the brush is brought at a right angle to the crowns;
• The tooth surface must be cleaned using sweeping movements: from the roots to the tops;
• The inner dental surface is cleaned with short movements, the brush is placed at an angle of 45 degrees;
• the cutting and chewing surfaces of the crowns are processed at the very end;
• after completing the procedure, you should rinse your mouth with water;
• The approximate duration of each cleaning is 2–3 minutes.

2–3 years old is the age when you need to start teaching your child to brush their teeth on their own.

How many times a day and for what time should you brush your teeth with your child?

To keep teeth attractive and healthy, children and adults need to brush at least 2 times a day – morning and evening. It is important to adhere to this regime constantly.

Some parents prefer to perform all manipulations immediately after their son or daughter wakes up. However, the surest option is to clean the surfaces after the little person has had breakfast. This will remove food particles remaining in the interdental spaces.

At the same time, there are certain nuances that moms and dads should remember. If children ate fruit or drank juice in the morning, hygiene procedures are postponed. This is due to the fact that the released fruit acids help to soften the enamel layer, and as a result, useful elements contained in the enamel can be removed along with soft deposits.

In any case, dentists recommend waiting at least half an hour after eating. This time is enough to restore the acid-base balance.

The correct duration of brushing

In order for each session to give the desired result, plaque and food debris are completely removed, and the components of the paste have time to act, you need to clean the oral cavity within a certain time interval. 3 minutes is the optimal period of time during which all soft deposits are eliminated, and the useful elements of hygienic compositions are most effective.

This indicator is relevant for any age. Of course, if the baby is still very small, he will not be able to endure a three-minute massage with a silicone tip. However, this is not necessary.

The duration of cleaning may increase or decrease if:

• diseases of the oral cavity and inflammatory processes;
• malocclusion and abnormalities in the structure of the jaws;
• wearing corrective structures.

How long should you brush your teeth?

It is enough to brush baby teeth for 2 – 3 minutes. This is the norm for both adults and children. If your child can’t stand it for that long, try to turn brushing your teeth into a game, as described above, since simple coaxing is unlikely to help. In order for the child to have only pleasant impressions of the procedure, try doing it, say, to children's songs. Also try to explain how many times a day you should brush your teeth. Try to cultivate in your child the desire to take care of their teeth; in the future, this will undoubtedly have a beneficial effect not only on their beauty, but also on their health.

Regular and thorough brushing of children's teeth is an important point in the prevention of caries and its complications. But don’t forget about professional hygienic cleaning to avoid bad breath in children, yellow plaque and tartar, which cannot be removed on your own. In addition, professional hygiene helps the effectiveness of wearing braces by teenagers, diagnosing childhood caries at the initial stage of its development, which is also important for the health of baby teeth.

Rules of care

6-8 months is the approximate time interval at which time you should start brushing the teeth of a child whose baby incisor has just emerged. However, you should take care of your mucous membranes, tongue and gums almost from birth.

There are many modern accessories for painless and safe procedures, suitable for different age categories. Before buying such a product, it is useful to read the labeling on the packaging and make sure that it is exactly intended for the baby.

First teeth

Oral care should be carried out immediately after discharge from the maternity hospital. Parents should wipe soft tissues with a napkin soaked in water, herbal decoction or bactericidal alcohol-free infusion.

When baby incisors appear on the surface, you need to purchase a silicone brush tip. With its help, plaque is removed and painful mucous membranes, inflamed and swollen due to teething, are massaged.

Useful tips:

• movements – “sweeping”;
• the nozzle should be placed in the child’s mouth at an angle of 45 degrees to the gums;
• the inner dental part is cleaned with short strokes;
• Each unit is given up to 15 seconds.

Child under 1 year old

Children at 8-10 months still have too few teeth, so you don’t need to use either a brush or toothpaste. It is enough to take a piece of gauze, moisten it in warm boiled water and wipe the oral cavity.

During teething or gum inflammation, it is recommended to regularly use herbal infusions. When there are no dental diseases, you can resort to cleaning with herbs once a week for preventive purposes.

A soft silicone brush that fits on your finger will also work. It is necessary to clean not only the internal and external surfaces of the teeth, but also the tongue, gums, and the space behind the cheeks. You can brush your one-year-old child’s first teeth with either damp gauze or special dental wipes for the little ones, sold in pharmacy chains.

All manipulations should be carried out extremely carefully. Teething causes severe discomfort, and the baby will not like it if parents increase the unpleasant symptoms while performing hygiene procedures.

Children over one year old

You can purchase a special brush with silicone bristles. It is soft and does not damage mucous membranes. For such an accessory, relatives will have to pay a little more than for a regular one, but all expenses will be justified.

With this product, food debris and bacteria are removed, while the enamel remains intact, and there is no damage to the inside of the cheeks, gums and crowns. Cleaning will not cause any discomfort.

The only drawback of silicone brushes is their short service life. They should be periodically replaced with new ones.

Choosing a brush and paste

The range of toothbrushes is varied in any store. Children's samples should have many low-stiffness bristles to effectively remove plaque and not injure the gums. For additional hygiene, you can purchase a mono-tuft brush. If your child is already grown up and is not afraid of loud noises, take a closer look at electric toothbrushes: they perfectly remove plaque and prepare the child for professional instruments at the dentist.

Toothpaste must taste good. Many products have been created for children with strawberry, banana, and so on flavors. It should also be low abrasive and contain calcium, fluorides and hydroxyapatite for primary teeth. Kids often swallow toothpaste - choose a harmless one.

Rules for caring for a children's toothbrush

Having figured out when you can start brushing your child’s teeth with toothpaste, and whether the procedure should be carried out in the absence of visible crowns, it is important to familiarize yourself with the instructions for use. A baby’s immune defense is not as strong as an adult’s, so the body is more susceptible to pathological processes caused by pathogens. They multiply not only in poorly cleaned oral cavity, but also in dirty stubble.

Helpful Tips:

• wash the accessory with soap after cleaning to prevent the development of pathogenic microflora;
• replace the product every 2-3 months;
• do not use special covers, since accumulated moisture is a breeding ground for bacterial agents;
• It is better to keep the brush in a glass with the bristles up, and do not allow it to come into contact with objects belonging to other family members.

Visiting the dentist:

• Twice a year

Examination of children for early diagnosis of dental caries and its complications. Detection of dental anomalies and early orthodontic treatment. Monitoring the condition of the gums and periodontal tissues. Recommendations for brushing teeth. Selection of oral hygiene products. Removing dental plaque and plaque (if necessary). Sealing of dental fissures

Brushing your teeth: In the morning after breakfast and in the evening before bed. Teeth brushing time – 3 minutes.

Basic oral hygiene products:

• Manual toothbrush/ electric toothbrush
• Toothpaste (as recommended by a dentist)

A manual toothbrush should have: medium-hard bristles; rounded and polished bristle tips; a rounded head shape corresponding to the size of the teeth; small head, which ensures maneuverability in the oral cavity; volumetric handle for better grip of the brush in your hand.

For children over six years old, we can recommend an electric children's toothbrush: with soft two-level bristles; with indication of bristle wear; with a round head.

Additional oral hygiene products are used on the recommendation of a dentist and under the supervision of parents from 7-9 years:

• Dental floss
• Rinse aid
• Chewing gum without sugar with xylitol
• Foams
• Tongue scraper
• Dental brushes

Using dental floss (FLOSSA)

Starting from the age of 7, it is necessary to introduce the use of dental floss into personal hygiene. This is especially indicated for children with a high risk of caries, with crowded teeth, and those undergoing orthodontic treatment using fixed orthodontic appliances.

It is recommended to use dental floss before brushing your teeth with toothpaste, and if you use a mouthwash, then after toothpaste, before the rinsing procedure. Dental floss, or floss, was developed specifically for cleaning the contact surfaces of teeth that are difficult to reach with a brush.

Mouth rinse is recommended as an additional hygiene product, because... It cleans the interdental spaces well and has a deodorizing effect. The rinse aid must contain fluoride and not contain alcohol. Rinse your mouth for 1 minute, do not swallow.

The use of dental rinses allows you to destroy a significant part of the bacteria remaining after brushing. By improving the condition of the gums, the risk of periodontitis and other dental diseases is reduced. Teeth rinses help maintain their whiteness, strengthen enamel, fight the formation of tartar and prevent the formation of caries.

Foam is used to clean teeth when it is not possible to use a regular toothbrush. The action of foams is expressed in cleaning and leveling the acid-base balance in the oral cavity, which prevents the growth of dental plaque and the development of pathogenic microorganisms in it.

Xylitol (xylitol) has pronounced anti-caries properties: it has a specific antimicrobial effect against the most cariogenic microorganisms, accelerates salivation, improves self-cleaning of the oral cavity and increases the ability of saliva to strengthen tooth enamel. The use of chewing gum containing xylitol is recommended after meals for 10-15 minutes.

ATTENTION! However, it must be remembered that excessive intake of xylitol into the body can lead to unwanted side effects, as it promotes diarrhea. The daily dose of xylitol for an adult is from 30 to 50 grams.

Professional oral hygiene (teeth brushing) is a system of treatment and preventive measures performed in a dental clinic, aimed at preventing the occurrence and progression of oral diseases. In this case, the doctor or hygienist removes plaque and tartar and polishes the surfaces of the teeth.

Professional oral hygiene should be carried out at least once a year.

Nutrition:

Products that are healthy for teeth should contain a small amount of sugar and sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals. It is good to eat solid foods.

Avoid eating sugar-containing foods (sweets, cookies, etc.) between main meals.

Avoid drinking sugary carbonated drinks.

At the age of 6-15 years, the temporary teeth are replaced by permanent teeth.

Timely and consistent teething indicates the normal development of the child’s body. Violation of the timing and sequence of eruption can occur with endocrine and metabolic disorders or general diseases of the child.

Dental caries

Dental caries is a disease of hard dental tissues that occurs due to irregular oral hygiene and excessive consumption of sweets.

Damage to teeth by caries is always accompanied by a violation of their function; when teeth are destroyed, difficulties arise when eating, pain, disturbances in appearance, especially when caries affects the anterior group of teeth. Caries of temporary and permanent teeth in children occurs with the same unpleasant sensations as in adults.

From the age of 6, temporary teeth begin to fall out and permanent teeth erupt.

The first permanent molars appear in the oral cavity as the very first of the permanent teeth behind the temporary molars at the back, so parents do not pay enough attention to these teeth, not noticing them.

Maturation of enamel (strengthening) continues after teething in the oral cavity, so it is extremely important to create adequate conditions for this process: for this it is necessary to carry out professional oral hygiene with the application of special mineral gels, and thoroughly brush your teeth at home.

Attention!!! On the chewing surfaces of the first permanent molars, deep pits (fissures) are often identified, which are primarily affected by caries. To protect against caries, immediately after the eruption of these teeth, it is necessary to carry out a sealing technique, which includes filling the fissures with a special material.

Therefore, it is important to visit the dentist on time to identify caries, its treatment and prevention, both in temporary and even more so in permanent teeth.

IMPORTANT!

If dark gray spots appear on the teeth, if the teeth react to cold, hot, sweet, sour, and even more so, if carious cavities are visible on the teeth, then the child clearly has caries. You need to contact your dentist immediately! If there is crowding of teeth, a permanent tooth did not erupt smoothly or at the wrong time, if bleeding occurs when brushing your teeth, you should immediately contact your dentist!

Remember that you should contact the dentist when the child is healthy and does not experience toothache!

Toothpastes for one-year-old children and infants

The lack of a full set of incisors, canines and molars should not become an obstacle to proper oral care using special products - starting to brush your child’s teeth, no matter what age he is, is not just useful, but extremely necessary. Modern manufacturers produce high-quality products that are approved for up to a year. It does not contain fluoride, but contains other essential components. These products are safe to swallow and have a pleasant sweet taste.

Most toothpastes are available for children over 2 years old. If parents are categorically against introducing cleaning compounds before this point, it is enough to carry out the procedures with a moistened brush.

How to choose the right product:

• Scientists have found that during the cleaning process, children from birth to primary school age swallow approximately 30-40% of the pasty mass. For this reason, it is important to purchase special gels, including organic ones.
• After the child learns to spit out water, you can choose a product with a reduced fluoride content. A single dosage should not exceed a pea.
• “Adult” stamps are strictly prohibited from being introduced before the seventh birthday. Otherwise, the concentrated composition will damage the enamel and cause damage to the child’s body as a whole.
• Manufacturers offer options with different tastes, so even the most picky little ones will find the most suitable one. If there is an inflammatory process, it is better to give preference to products with aloe vera, tea tree oil, and propolis.

Getting used to brushing

If the baby shows interest in the brush, you can switch to it. First you need to give him a new item to play with and explain (show) its purpose. Then switch to a brush and brush the child’s teeth yourself, sometimes switching and letting him repeat the movements. This must be done without nerves and gradually. He will be able to brush his teeth himself only from the age of three, and even then it will not be of absolutely high quality. Therefore, without your observation and participation - nowhere.

The choice of a toothbrush for a child should not be based on his preference, but on the recommendations of the dentist. The baby will be drawn to bright designs, but beauty does not mean convenience. Therefore, we choose a brush according to the following characteristics:

1. The handle should not slip in your hands. If a child drops it, he probably won’t wash it. Therefore, she cannot fall.
2. It should not have sharp edges, otherwise the baby will easily injure the gums.
3. The bristles should be soft, otherwise excessive zeal can damage the gums.
4. The head of the brush should be small - suitable for a child.

The main thing in this purchase is its safety. The size table will help you choose the right brush for your child:

It is also worth paying attention to the manufacturer. It is necessary to give preference to someone who is known throughout the world and is based on the results of many years of research. Everyone knows such brands, for example, Colgate or Oral-B. Their products are tested and verified according to European quality standards.

We wrote about how to teach your child to brush their teeth on their own here.

How to teach a child to brush their teeth

Secrets of experienced parents and professionals.

• Personal example. For babies and children of primary school age, how mom and dad behave is extremely important.
• No aggression, screaming, or corporal punishment. You cannot turn the procedure into hard labor and associate it with violence.
• Regularity. Manipulations should be carried out daily, morning and evening. This does not depend on external factors and the desire to encourage the child.
• Purchasing a brush together. If the baby makes his own choice, he will get more pleasure from oral care.
• Safe, pleasant-smelling, tasty paste with your favorite aroma.
• Themed games and “competitions” with older brothers and sisters.
• Buying a toy dentist set. When performing dental treatment on toys, your baby will want to take care of his own teeth.
• Using an hourglass. It is necessary to set a task for the baby - to complete the cleansing activities when the last grain of sand falls.
• Scheduled visits to the dentist. A preschooler needs to meet the doctor in suitable conditions, when nothing bothers him. Dentika dentistry has created a suitable atmosphere for young patients.

Why you need to teach your child to brush their teeth earlier than one year

Parents who neglect mandatory hygiene procedures at an early age very often encounter so-called bottle caries. This is not a harmless phenomenon, but can lead to serious complications. Complete oral care allows you to:

• form a correct bite, avoid distal occlusion;
• prevent the development and reproduction of pathogenic microflora;
• prevent dental and infectious pathologies that require long-term and difficult treatment;
• discipline the baby and teach him to take care of himself and his health.

What to do if your child does not want to brush his teeth

Many adults face this problem. It can be caused by various reasons, but the result is the same - the baby flatly refuses to open his mouth or even enter the threshold of the bathroom. Options to deal with this situation:

• carry out a daily ritual for all family members together, it will be much more fun;
• change the toothpaste and toothbrush, because the appearance of the accessory and the taste of the cleaning product may not be to the liking of a demanding baby;
• sing songs during the procedure, tell poems, entertaining stories;
• turn on your favorite cartoon (child psychologists recommend using this method as a last resort, so that it does not become a habit);
• beautifully decorate the glass in which the accessories are placed, for example, fold it out of Lego;
• suggest that you first take care of the toys, and then take care of your own oral cavity;
• compete in the quality and speed of cleaning.

If you know exactly at what age you can and should brush your child’s teeth with toothpaste, why you shouldn’t neglect care even if the baby has a toothless mouth, and follow medical recommendations, parents guarantee their son or daughter healthy gums and the absence of dental diseases in the coming years. Buying an unsuitable brush, irregularity in the procedure, errors in the educational process, careless actions of mom and dad are not all the factors leading to a little person’s refusal to take hygiene measures.

Each adult must independently decide at what point the child is completely ready for independent care. It is extremely important to show by example that self-care is the basis of a happy and fulfilling life. Children need to brush their teeth correctly, both in infancy and at school.

Do you need pasta?

We touched upon the same question “To be or not to be.” Among specialists there is no single answer. Still, most dentists advocate not using toothpaste until the age of 1.5 years. At such a young age, children do not understand the essence of the process, and rinsing the mouth will smoothly flow into eating toothpaste. It's not worth it.

Which toothpaste should I choose for my child? For the same reason, the first paste must be absolutely neutral for the body so that its inappropriate use does not cause any side effects. Such a composition should not contain:

• Fluorine;
• Dyes;
• Preservatives.

In order not to tinker with formulas and abbreviations yourself, you just need to choose a toothpaste from a well-known brand with a limit of up to 3 years. This tube contains a substance that is completely safe even if absorbed.

After 3 years, you can include fluoride in the toothpaste (it is hardened in the fight against caries), but if the baby still swallows everything that is given to him, then there is no need to risk it.

Thus, the answer to the question of how to brush a one-year-old child’s teeth is quite simple: you need to start small in order to accustom your baby to independent hygiene.

Tags: 1 year, baby toothpaste, baby brush, cleaning baby teeth

About the author: DrZubastik

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Children's oral care products

Now in any specialized store or pharmacy you can find a large number of products for caring for the child’s oral cavity. For the first time, faced with such abundance, young parents are lost and buy something that is not at all what they need. They start taking everything without thinking at all about the quality of the chosen products. After all, if you are unlucky and you bring home a not very good product, then at least you will discourage your child from practicing oral hygiene.

• Therefore, before you buy products that will clean your child’s teeth, be sure to check whether they are sealed and do not have a specific odor.
• Also pay attention to the composition of care products. They should contain a maximum of hypoallergenic components.

Products that will help you properly care for children's teeth:

• Finger wipes • Dental wipes • Special finger brush • Soft bristle brush • Gel paste for infants • Fruit-flavored toothpaste

The child does not want to brush his teeth: what to do?

Not all children are equally good at oral hygiene. Some happily run to the bathroom and brush their teeth, while others perceive this procedure as punishment. Usually, upon seeing such a reaction, parents begin to get angry, yell at the baby and force him to brush his teeth immediately. But this behavior of adults causes even more negativity in the child, and he may generally refuse to clean his mouth. Therefore, if you want your child to have a normal attitude towards this process, then always remain calm and at first carry out the procedure in a playful way.

Recommendations to help teach your child to brush their teeth:

• Buy a toothbrush in the shape of an animal or a cartoon character • Always brush your teeth with your baby • Invite your daughter or son to brush their teeth with their favorite toy • Play a funny children's song during hygiene procedures • Invite your child to brush with an electric brush