At Children’s Dental FunZone of West Covina, Eagle Rock, Montebello, Fontana, Los Angeles, Ontario, Reseda, San Fernando, Riverside, Crenshaw, Alhambra, and Santa Ana we specialize in teaching proper oral hygiene and teeth cleaning. The pediatric dentists in all our offices emphasize the importance of brushing teeth. They believe that extra care must be given to young teeth, and children should be taught from an early how to keep their teeth clean and healthy. As soon as the child is able, teaching them how to brush your teeth will enable them to have good oral hygiene for the rest of their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our dentists have the following advice about choosing an appropriate toothbrush when teaching a child how to brush your teeth:
Choose a toothbrush that is proportional to the size of the child’s mouth, with soft bristles, and one that they can easily hold in their hand. This will give them a firm grip on the toothbrush and allow them to clean their teeth effectively. Soaking the toothbrush in warm water before brushing teeth can help soften the bristles and make it more gentle to use. Some children prefer using an electrical or self spinning toothbrush. As long as the brushing and teeth cleaning is done effectively, this can be a great option.
The pediatric dentists at Children’s Dental FunZone have the following recommendations about the use of toothpaste:
Use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children when teaching a child how to brush your teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that helps protect and strengthen the child’s teeth against cavities. Proper brushing habits, with a small amount of fluoride, will give your child extra protection, especially for young and developing teeth. By always using small amounts of fluoride toothpaste and rinsing out their mouth after brushing teeth, you ensure that your child does not swallow large amounts of fluoride toothpaste.
Our dentists emphasize that children should be teeth cleaning two times a day, once in the morning and once at night. Before going to sleep, the last thing they should do is brush their teeth. If they have anything to eat or drink, other than water, after brushing teeth, they should brush again.
Brushing a child’s teeth first thing in the morning does more than remove the morning breath—it also removes all the acid and bacteria that builds up while you sleep. If you brush your teeth thoroughly each morning it will prevent and remove tartar buildup.
It’s a good idea to make your teeth brushing last about two minutes. For young children, adults might have to help them brush their teeth for this extended period of time or at least watch them to make sure that they are utilizing proper technique.
Warm water helps clean oral surfaces and kill any pesky bacteria that might be hanging around before you brush. It’s a good idea to rinse your mouth with warm water, but brushing with warm or cold water doesn’t actually make a difference.
When you brush at night, you remove any leftover food particles and get your oral hygiene clean and ready before bed. Brushing before bed prevents tartar and plaque build up and reduces the chance of gum disease.
It’s a good idea to make your teeth brushing last about two minutes. For young children, adults might have to help them brush their teeth for this extended period of time or at least watch them to make sure that they are utilizing proper technique.
Your child needs to brush more than once a day for good oral health and to prevent tartar buildup and gum disease. The ADA says that all children should brush at least twice daily, after breakfast and before bed.
You should clean your children’s baby teeth twice a day, after feeding. Use a small amount of toothpaste. You can clean their mouths with your finger or a cloth with water and toothpaste. If your child doesn’t have teeth, be gentle. Clean the gum line.
While you sleep, the bacteria and germs within your mouth multiply. It’s a good idea to swish your mouth with water in the morning before you brush, to spit out any of the germs and make your brushing more effective. You’ll notice enhanced dental immunity.
It’s a good idea to get good oral hygiene habits started as early in a child’s life as possible. Set a good example by brushing together, turn toothbrushing into a fun activity, get them a toothbrush they like, and help them with their daily habit.
Here are some teeth cleaning recommendations:
- Use small circular motions when brushing teeth, always making sure that the toothbrush bristles are gliding against the gums.
- Brush on the front and back, the top, and all the sides of each tooth.
- Start with the back teeth first and then gradually move to the teeth at the sides and front of the mouth.
- Make sure to brush the areas where the teeth and gums meet.
- Tell the child to take his time while teeth cleaning and spend at least two minutes brushing their teeth to make sure they’re cleaned well.
- Gently show them how to brush their tongue and the roof of the mouth.
- After brushing, spit out any toothpaste left in the mouth.
- Teach them how to clean their toothbrushes and place it somewhere clean to dry.
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