Getting started off on the right path to healthy teeth starts young!
Generally, teeth begin appearing at six months of age. Brushing for children younger than three years of age can begin when teeth begin to appear, either using a clean cloth or a brush with just a small smear of fluoride toothpaste. As with adults, brushing in the morning and the evening is a good routine for children to follow. At this age, it is important to help with brushing to make certain they use the right amount of toothpaste, don’t swallow it and begin to learn the correct way to brush.
Children ages three to six years can use a bit more toothpaste – think a pea-sized amount. Stick with the twice a day routine and continue to supervise them to make certain they are following healthy brushing habits. It is generally recommended that once your child has two teeth that touch, that they being flossing daily.
Your child will begin to want to brush their own teeth which is great to instill independence and to reinforce the need for brushing; however, it is still recommended that a caregiver brushes a second time until your child is about eight years old.
Starting to care for your child’s teeth from the start promotes great dental health and creates a routine to follow for a lifetime of healthy teeth!
