It can become one of those daunting tasks. A constant nightly battle involving too much stress and too many tears. If you eventually do get it done, you can be left wondering if you have even done it properly at all.
Brushing your toddler’s teeth!
By starting early and incorporating these steps into your daily routine, hopefully the task can be less of a chore, and maybe even a bit of fun.

What do I use to brush my toddler’s teeth?

When your child’s first teeth are coming in, you can wash them by rubbing them with a wet wash cloth or piece of gauze once a day. By the time the back molars have developed (on average at 14-18 months old) a soft-bristled toddler brush should be used. These are available from most pharmacies or from your dentist. The Australian Dental Association (ADA) recommends that plain water be used for children under 18 months old. There are low-fluoride and flouride-free toothpastes available for older children, but care should be taken to only use a “pea-sized” amount. This is because toddlers will usually swallow the toothpaste, rather than spit it all out, and too much ingested toothpaste is potentially harmful. Replace toothbrushes every three months or when the bristles appear frayed.

How do I brush my toddler’s teeth effectively?

Firstly find a comfortable position where you have good visibility of your child’s mouth, for example, sit your child on your lap facing towards you. Start by brushing the outside surfaces of each tooth, using a gentle circular motion. Side to side scrubbing can damage teeth and gums. Then, brush the biting portion of the back teeth with a gentle back and forth motion. You should then brush around the gum line of every tooth. Lastly, if your child will allow you, quickly brush the tongue to dislodge the bacteria that causes bad breath. It can be difficult to keep them still, but you should aim for 2 minutes of brushing every morning and night.

When can my child brush his own teeth?

It’s a good idea to let your child have a go at brushing their own teeth as soon as they are willing! However, children do not have the manual skills to correctly brush their teeth until about 8 years of age. So, until then, teeth brushing should be a combined effort of parent and child.

Any tips for an unhappy brusher?

Consider purchasing a novelty toothbrush with a favourite cartoon character. Or buy a variety of coloured brushes and let your little one choose which one they want to use today.
A battery powered electric tooth brush may also be a “more fun” alternative.
Wait till its bath time. “Brush” all of the bath toys’ teeth with the back of the brush first, creating a fun bath time activity.
Sing a favourite song/ nursery rhyme while you brush.
For the little independents - brush your own teeth while your toddler brushes, then swap and let them brush your teeth while you brush theirs.

When should I start taking my child to the dentist?

First visits should be done when most of the baby teeth are visible, usually between 18 and 24 months, unless you have any particular worries or questions.

Remember, most dental problems are preventable, so, with a caring motivated parent, and an early start, the whole family will be sure to smile!

About the Author

is a child, family and cosmetic dentist and a proud father who lives and works in Bondi Beach.  For more information visit: http://www.bondibeachdental.com.au

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