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When to begin brushing

 

Once your child's teeth begin erupting, you can begin cleaning them by wiping them with a moist washcloth. As your child gets more teeth, you can begin to use a soft child's toothbrush. You should use just a pea-size amount of a fluoride toothpaste or a non-fluoride toothpaste (like Baby OraGel) until your child is able to spit it out.

 

For most toddlers, getting them to brush their teeth should not be a chore.

 

Some suggestions for making tooth brushing less of a battle can include:

 

• letting your child pick out a few toothbrushes with their favorite characters and giving them a choice of which one they want to use each time.

• let your child brush their own teeth first and you brush after.

• read some children's books about tooth brushing.

 

It is a good idea to create a "tooth brushing routine" and stick to the same routine each day.

 

Brushing and Flossing Instructions

 

Children’s hands and mouths are different than adults. They need to use toothbrushes designed for children. Both adults and children should use brushes with soft, rounded bristles for gentle cleaning. Change to a new brush about every three months.

 

Wipe infant’s teeth gently with a moist, soft cloth or gauze square. As babies grow, use a child’s toothbrush with a small, pea-sized dab of toothpaste. By age 2 or 3 begin to teach your child to brush. We encourage you to continue to supervise your child brushing their teeth until they are able to do so themselves – sometimes this can be until pre-teen years. We often advise children to use a gentle, short, back and forth motion to remove plaque. When they are older they can switch to the method described below .

 

Hold the brush at an angle (45 degrees) towards teeth and gums. Move brush back and forth with short strokes, about a half tooth wide.

 

• Brush the inside and outside surfaces of each tooth, top and bottom.

• Hold the brush flat on top of the teeth and brush the chewing surfaces.

• Gently brush the tongue to remove debris.

• Floss between teeth daily.

 

Flossing should start when any two teeth touch and you are not able to brush between them. Use a gentle back and forth motion. Floss between all teeth that are touching and the back of the last 4 molars. An adult should help the child floss until she/he can do it by themselves. Another option is to use the pre-threaded floss picks with adult supervision.

 

What causes cavities?

 

Most of the time cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods and a lack of brushing.

 

Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly, of course, can help. The longer it takes your child to chew their foods the longer the residue stays on their teeth, the greater the chances of getting cavities.  A child who holds their food in their mouth is at more risk of getting cavities.

 

Frequency is more significant than that type of food you eat.  Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digests the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.

 

Consistency of a person's saliva also makes a difference, thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When a person eats diets high in carbohydrates and sugars they tend to have thicker saliva, which in turn more of the acid-producing bacteria that causes cavities.

 

Tips for cavity prevention:

 

• Limit Frequency of meals and snacks.

• Encourage brushing, flossing and rinsing.

• Watch what you drink.

• Avoid sticky foods.

• Make treats part of meals.

• Choose nutritious snacks.

• Don’t hold liquids or food in your mouth

 

SUGGESTED SNACK FOODS FOR CHILDREN WITH EXCESSIVE DECAY

 

	Popcorn, corn chips, pretzels, ice cream (not sherbet or popsicles).
	Raw: apple, fresh apricots, melons, (watermelon, cantaloupe), cherries, grapefruit, grapes, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapple, tangerines, fresh fruit juice (unsweetened).
	Raw: cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce and other salad greens, radishes, tomatoes.
	Unsweetened.
	All kinds – cheddar, cottage or cream
	What causes tooth decay? Several specific types of bacteria that live on the teeth cause decay. When sugar is consumed, the bacteria use the sugar and then manufacture acids that dissolve the teeth and cause an infection in the tooth. This infection is called decay.   What is baby bottle tooth decay? Babies who go to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice are more likely to get tooth decay. Because the sugar in formula, milk, or juice stays in contact with the teeth for a long time during the night, the teeth can decay quickly.   Some tips to avoid baby bottle tooth decay Put your child to bed with a bottle of plain water, not milk or juice. Stop nursing when your child is asleep or has stopped sucking on the bottle. Try not to let your child walk around using a bottle of milk or juice as a pacifier. Start to teach your child to drink from a cup at about six months of age. Plan to stop using a bottle by 12 to 14 months at the latest. Don't dip your child's pacifier in honey or sugar.     Tooth Brushing Tips   Children upto 5 Years Scrub Technique - Horizontal Brushing   Children over 5 years Fones Technique - Circular motion   Tooth Brush Small / Junior   Tooth Paste Amount - Pea size tooth paste   Brush Twice a day - Morning and Night   Fluoride Tooth Pastes Upto 4 years : Non Fluoridated Tooth Paste 4-6 Years - Non Fluoridated Tooth Paste 4-6 Years - Fluoridated tooth paste once a day under parental supervision 6 Years onwards - Fluoridated toothpaste twice a day