As a parent you want to protect your children from life’s harms. You can prevent and manage tooth decay by making sure your children have regular dental visits and by taking good care of their teeth. One of the main ways to keep your children’s teeth healthy and set them on the path to good oral health is by brushing their teeth for 2 minutes, 2 times each day. It may help to play or sing a song that is at least 2 minutes long while brushing their teeth. There are smartphone apps with timers and songs available for both android and IOS. Or download this list of toothbrushing songs that you can sing.
Brush your child’s teeth in the morning and before bed. | |
Use a child-sized toothbrush with soft bristles and fluoride toothpaste. | |
Its very important to use the correct amount of toothpaste | |
Young children like to do things for themselves. It’s good to let them brush their teeth while you watch. You should brush their teeth too until they are seven or eight years of age, or able to tie their own shoes. Younger children just do not brush their teeth very well. They need your help. |
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Find a position where your child is comfortable and you can see your child’s teeth while you brush. You can sit on the floor with your child’s head in your lap. You can cradle them while sitting. Or you can stand behind your child in front of the mirror. |
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Gently brush your child’s teeth using small circles. Brush all surfaces of the teeth, including the insides and outsides. Have your child spit out any toothpaste that is left after brushing but do not rinse. The small amount of toothpaste that stays in your child’s mouth is good for the teeth. |
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Don’t give up if you are having trouble brushing your child’s teeth. Keep trying!
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Baby Teeth Matter!
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Need to find a dentist near you?
- Find a pediatric dentist near you (American Academy of Pediatric Dentists)
- Find a family dentist near you (American Dental Association)
- Find a dentist who takes NH Medicaid on InsureKidsNow.gov
Brushing Toddler’s Teeth a video from the University of Maryland School of Public Health’s Horowitz Center for Health may give you some helpful hints.
The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center has many handouts on oral health topics for parents:
- Brushing Your Child’s Teeth
- Choosing Healthy Drinks for Your Young Child
- Encouraging Your Child to Drink Water
- Finding a Dental Clinic for Your Child
- Getting Fluoride for Your Child
- Giving First Aid for Your Child’s Oral Injuries
- Giving Your Child Healthy Snacks
- Helping Your Baby with Teething Pain
- Preventing Injuries to Your Child’s Mouth
- Taking Care of Your Baby’s Oral Health
- Toothbrushing Positions for Your Child with a Disability
- Toothbrushing Tips for Your Child with a Disability
- Visiting the Dental Clinic with Your Child
For more information
- Dental Health & Hygiene for Young Children, healthychildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics
- Children’s Oral Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Dental Hygiene: How to Care for Your Child’s Teeth, familydoctor.org, American Academy of Family Physicians.
Funding for this Tool Kit was provided by a grant from Northeast Delta Dental.