Parenting a toddler can be both challenging and rewarding. We have practical tips on toddler behavior , basic care and bedtime routines. Keep informed with our health, safety and development tips. Need ideas for ways to play with your toddler? We have made it easy with our toys and activity suggestions.
Brushing Teeth (toddler)
Tips for brushing your toddler's teeth.
As soon as the first tooth appears, begin cleaning by wiping with a clean, damp cloth every day - before bedtime is best. When more teeth come in, switch to a small, soft toothbrush. Begin using toothpaste with fluoride when the child is 2 years old. Use toothpaste with fluoride earlier if your child’s doctor or dentist recommends it.
Fluoride is important for fighting cavities. But if children younger than 6 years old swallow too much fluoride, their permanent teeth may have white spots. To keep this from happening, use only a small amount of toothpaste (about the size of a pea). Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste and to rinse well after brushing.
Brush your child’s teeth twice a day until your child has the skill to handle the toothbrush alone (usually around 6-8 years old). Then continue to closely watch brushing to make sure the child is doing a thorough job and using only a small amount of toothpaste.
Check with the doctor or dentist about your child’s specific fluoride needs. After age 2, most children get the right amount of fluoride to help prevent cavities if they drink water that contains fluoride and brush their teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
Parents of children older than 6 months should ask about the need for a fluoride supplement if drinking water does not have enough fluoride.
Do not let a child younger than 6 years old use a fluoride mouth rinse unless the child’s doctor or dentist recommends it.
Source: www.cdc.org
Illustration: www.nidcr.nih.gov
Start cleaning teeth early.
As soon as the first tooth appears, begin cleaning by wiping with a clean, damp cloth every day - before bedtime is best. When more teeth come in, switch to a small, soft toothbrush. Begin using toothpaste with fluoride when the child is 2 years old. Use toothpaste with fluoride earlier if your child’s doctor or dentist recommends it.
Use the right amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Fluoride is important for fighting cavities. But if children younger than 6 years old swallow too much fluoride, their permanent teeth may have white spots. To keep this from happening, use only a small amount of toothpaste (about the size of a pea). Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste and to rinse well after brushing.
Supervise brushing.
Brush your child’s teeth twice a day until your child has the skill to handle the toothbrush alone (usually around 6-8 years old). Then continue to closely watch brushing to make sure the child is doing a thorough job and using only a small amount of toothpaste.
Talk to your child’s doctor or dentist.
Check with the doctor or dentist about your child’s specific fluoride needs. After age 2, most children get the right amount of fluoride to help prevent cavities if they drink water that contains fluoride and brush their teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
Parents of children older than 6 months should ask about the need for a fluoride supplement if drinking water does not have enough fluoride.
Do not let a child younger than 6 years old use a fluoride mouth rinse unless the child’s doctor or dentist recommends it.
Source: www.cdc.org
Illustration: www.nidcr.nih.gov
Related Tips
- Preparing children for oral checkups (ages 1-2)
- The first visit to an oral health care provider need not be an apprehensive experience.
- more
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