About this topic
Brushing Your Childs Teeth ‚
- Brushing your child's teeth is one of the best ways to prevent and get rid of plaque in your child's mouth. Plaque is a film-like coating on your child's teeth. If it stays on your child's teeth, it will destroy the outside protective enamel layer of the tooth. Over time, this can lead to cavities.
- Toothbrushes come in many designs, colors, and styles. There is little evidence that one kind of toothbrush is better than another. The most important thing is to brush your child's teeth at least twice a day. If your child is uncooperative at first, keep trying until it becomes a part of their daily routine.
- Manual tooth brushes come in many sizes. You can choose the one that best fits your child's mouth. Look for one with soft or extra-soft bristles.
- Motorized tooth brushes work better for some people. They may be easier and more efficient to use. This may encourage you to brush your child's teeth more often.
- Brush your child's teeth for 2 to 3 minutes:
- In the morning
- Before your child goes to bed at night
- In the middle of the day or after your child eats sticky or sugary snacks
- How to brush your child's teeth properly:
- Babies and children up to age 2 ¢ ˆ ’ Use a wet washcloth or soft toothbrush to massage the gums and clean the teeth.
- Children ages 3 to 6 years old:
- Use a small soft toothbrush. Begin using a small amount of toothpaste with fluoride in it.
- Only let your child use fluoride toothpaste if they are able to spit.
- An adult should brush your child's teeth first.
- Next, let your child brush their own teeth.
- Children over 6 years of age:
- Encourage your child in brushing and flossing their teeth.
- Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
- Gently move the toothbrush in small circles or back and forth in very short strokes. Each stroke or circle should be about the size of a tooth.
- Brush the outside of each tooth, the inside of each tooth and the chewing surfaces.
- An adult should check with a toothbrush to make sure they have done a good job cleaning their teeth.
- Brush your child's tongue to help get rid of germs. Some people prefer to use a tongue scraper to clean their child's tongue. Brushing your child's tongue or using a tongue scraper can help to lessen bad breath by getting rid of germs.
- Soon your child will be able to keep their teeth clean and their mouth healthy.
Flossing Your Child's Teeth ‚
- Taking care of your child's mouth is more than just brushing their teeth. Flossing your child's teeth is also very important. It helps to get rid of plaque in the places where the toothbrush can't reach. You should floss your child's teeth at least 1 time each day.
- There are many kinds of dental floss. Some are wax coated and others are not. There is flavored dental floss and floss that is more like a ribbon than a string. Some people prefer to use a floss holder, dental pick, or pre-threaded flosser. There are also small brushes or rubber tips for cleaning between your child's teeth. Talk to your dentist about the best one for your child.
- How to floss your child's teeth properly:
- Use a piece of dental floss about 18 inches (45 cm) long.
- Wind most of it around your first or middle finger on one hand.
- Wind the other end around your first or middle finger on your other hand. You will continue to wind the used floss on this finger.
- Gently slide the floss between 2 teeth, using a back and forth motion.
- Hold the floss around the front and back of each tooth. Gently guide the floss down the tooth and into the space between the tooth and gum.
- Move the floss up and down to help remove the plaque from all sides of the tooth.
- Use a clean section of floss. Repeat on all the other teeth, including the very back sides of the child's teeth.
- If using a pre-threaded flosser, place one hand on the handle and guide the flosser with the same motion described above.
Using a Mouth Rinse ‚
- Many people will use a mouth rinse or mouthwash as part of their mouth care routine. It is not something to do in place of brushing and flossing your child's teeth .
- Begin using a mouth rinse with fluoride in it when your child is old enough to swish the mouthwash around in the mouth and spit it out.
- A mouth rinse is used for many reasons. Some mouth rinses can help to:
- Make your breath fresher
- Give your child extra fluoride
- Lower the amount of plaque in your child's mouth
- Prevent tooth decay and problems with your child's gums
- Give your child more moisture in their mouth
- Some mouth rinses will only freshen your breath and help to strengthen your child's teeth. Others will also lower the amount of germs in your mouth. Talk to your child's dentist about when your child should start to use a mouth rinse and about the best one for your child.
- How to use a mouth rinse properly:
- First brush and floss your child's teeth.
- Measure the correct amount of rinse and have your child swish it in their mouth. Have your child keep their teeth slightly apart and lips closed. Swish the mouth rinse back and forth for at least 30 seconds or as directed.
- Your child should spit out all of the mouth rinse. Do not allow your child to swallow the mouth rinse.
- Do not let your child eat or drink for 30 minutes after using a mouth rinse. These things can lower the protective effect of the mouth rinse .
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Childs teeth or gums are sore
- Too much bleeding from gums or the bleeding continues when brushing your child's teeth for more than a week
- Burning sensation in mouth, cheeks, child's teeth or gums
- Any swelling or sores that develop in your child's mouth
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my child's teeth and gums.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child's teeth and gums are sore.
Where can I learn more?
American Dental Association: Kids Healthy Mouths ‚
http://www.2min2x.org/ ‚
Kids Health ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/teeth/healthy.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/dentalhealth/Pages/Careofkidsteeth.aspx ‚
Tennessee Department of Health ‚
http://health.state.tn.us/oralhealth/childsteeth.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚