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.

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.

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.

Don’t give up if you are having trouble brushing your child’s teeth. Keep trying!

• Try to make it fun. Use a timer, a counting game, or a song while brushing.

• You can find some fun activities on The Mouth Monsters from America’s Pediatric Dentists or from America’s ToothFairy.

• Establishing a healthy routine will stay with your child for a lifetime

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Baby Teeth Matter!

• Baby teeth are the blueprint for your child’s permanent teeth.
• Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums.
• When a baby tooth is lost before the permanent tooth is ready to come in, the teeth beside it may move and shift to fill in the gap. This can cause problems. The permanent teeth may come in crooked, misaligned, and crowded.
• Baby teeth help a child develop speech by controlling the flow of air out of the mouth.
• Baby teeth help a child chew food naturally and support good nutrition.
• Healthy baby teeth will help your child smile brightly and feel good about themselves. It will boost their confidence when playing and interacting with others.