As parents, we all try to do the best for our kids and their overall well-being. One stage that clearly reflects our kids' growth is their teeth and oral health.
Starting from their first teeth to understanding each tooth's milestone and ensuring they have minimal distraction from it in their childhood can sometimes be challenging.
However, if there is one thing parents are urged to focus on to guarantee their kids have a smooth transition with teething and oral hygiene, it is practicing disciplined cleaning practices.
The sooner you, as a parent, develop proper teeth cleaning techniques for your kids, the easier it is to keep teeth issues and pains at bay.
This guide has compiled professional insights from our pediatric dentists at the Invisalign Center about kids' teeth cleaning from their first tooth to their teenage years.
Why is Oral Hygiene Important for Kids?
Before getting directly into kids’ teeth cleaning, it would be best to understand the importance of oral hygiene for kids and why dentists constantly recommend that parents focus on this.
Prevents Tooth Decay and Cavities: For kids, tooth decay is one of the most common chronic dental conditions. Cleaning their teeth regularly can prevent these issues from developing to a great extent.
Promotes Healthy Gums: While many overlook gum when it comes to proper oral hygiene, it forms the solid foundation for a healthy smile and teeth. Not giving gums proper attention can easily develop gingivitis and more severe periodontal diseases.
Prevents Bad Breath: Teeth cleaning primarily helps eliminate bad odour in the mouth and bacteria that can cause it.
When Should You Start Cleaning Your Child’s Teeth?
In general, oral care or kids’ teeth cleaning should start even before their first tooth appears. To make it easy for you, here is a small breakdown of your age or timeline and instructions on how to practice proper teeth cleaning for your kids.
Infants (0-12 Months)
Before your kids grow teeth, give proper care to their gums. Take a soft, damp cloth or a gauze and clean their gum daily. This helps in removing bacteria and sugars that can linger in the gum and affect the growth of healthy teeth.
Once they get teeth, which will be around 6 months, start brushing twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush. It is also good to use a small dab or smear of fluoride toothpaste, which can help clean the teeth smoothly and neatly.
Toddlers (1-3 Years)
From the start of teething until 3 years of age, brush twice a day: once in the morning and once before bed. To make brushing interesting, try to make it a session they love by using toothbrushes with their favourite characters and playing two minutes of their favourite song to make sure they brush thoroughly.
Once they develop at least two teeth that touch, use a kid-friendly flosser or dental picks to practice flossing.
Alongside this, schedule your kid's first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months after they get their first tooth.
While many parents overlook this recommendation or take it lightly, it is crucial to monitor the development of teeth and gums, professionally clean them, and assess the onset of any dental issues early.
Preschoolers (3-5 Years)
Brushing should continue twice a day until adulthood. This age would be a good starting point to allow them to brush on their own. Make sure to supervise and direct them on how to brush the right way.
The same applies to flossing, regular flossing should be a consistent oral hygiene practice alongside brushing with proper technique. However, parents should be around to ensure proper and thorough cleaning.
At around 3-5 years old, you should start incorporating healthy dietary practices for your kids. This is an important step to ensuring proper dental health and a shiny smile. Encourage drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary drinks. Plan a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits.
Limit sugary drinks or sticky food that can cause cavities. Tell them the importance of brushing before going to bed.
Even at this stage, dental checkups should be practiced every six months for professional cleaning, fluoride treatments, and for monitoring overall teeth development. Your pediatric dentist can provide sealants to protect the chewing surfaces of the back of the teeth from cavities.
School-age Children (6-12 Years)
By this stage, kids' teeth cleaning should be easy, as your child will have learned to do it independently. If you feel they still haven’t mastered it, make sure to monitor them and help them with proper directions, especially the thumb rule of brushing for two minutes.
At this age, it would be a good choice to switch to an electric toothbrush for more effective plaque removal.
If your kids are involved in sports, get them a custom-fitted mouthguard to protect their teeth from injuries. Mouthguards, especially if your kid is using braces, prevent the risk of broken teeth and other oral injuries.
Parents should do an orthodontic evaluation around 7 years of age to check their kids' teeth for alignment issues, whether with the teeth or jaw. Identifying any issues early can help correct them before they start impacting their daily lives or developing insecurities about their smiles.
Regardless of age, dental visits should happen once every six months, even if you are an adult. This helps maintain oral health, prevent cavities and gum disease, and detect any problems early.
How To Brush Your Kids Teeth
For children under 3 years, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain, and for those older, use a pea-sized amount.
Always angle the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Then, use gentle, circular motions to brush all surfaces of the teeth:
Outer surfaces: Brush the front and back of each tooth.
Inner surfaces: Brush the inside surfaces of each tooth.
Chewing surfaces: Brush the tops of the molars.
Brush for at least two minutes, making sure to cover all areas.
Brush the gum line and tongue to remove bacteria and plaque and to freshen the breath.
Finally, rinse the mouth with water and let them spit out the water.
Check With A Pediatric Dentist
While this article provides a basic guide to kids’ teeth cleaning, it is important to advise that not every child has the same experience with teething. Some children may have unique teeth or smile profiles that may require different treatments that go beyond basic cleaning.
As a good practice, it is always recommended that parents keep a keen eye on their kids’ teething journey and seek the advice of a pediatric dentist if they experience anything different, painful, or concerning.
Only a reliable dentist will be able to accurately diagnose any early onset of dental issues in your child. This is why regular dental checkups are always encouraged from the time your kid develops their first tooth.
