Brushing and Toothpaste for Children

Even before your child's teeth have come in, it's important to start mouth care. Using a damp washcloth or piece of gauze, gently rub it over your infant's gums to help clean the mouth. Brushing your child's teeth should begin when the first tooth appears. Use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice, on a soft-bristled toothbrush. When your child is about 3 years old, you can use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Your child will need help brushing his or her teeth until the age of about 7 or 8.

The importance of brushing

The single best way to remove harmful plaque from teeth and gums is to brush teeth regularly and correctly. Plaque is a thin, sticky film loaded with bacteria.

What is the correct method for teeth brushing?

Every mouth is different, and there is more than one effective way to brush. Deciding which way is best for your child depends largely on your child's teeth positions and gum condition. Talk with your child's pediatric dentist or primary care provider to decide which brushing method is best for your child's mouth.

Generally, most healthcare providers recommend a circular method for brushing. This includes brushing only a small group of teeth at a time -- slowly covering the entire mouth. A circular or elliptical motion is important, as using a back and forth motion may cause the following:

• Receding gums

• Exposed and sensitive root surface

• Wearing down of the crown and root surfaces at the gum line

Instead, healthcare providers recommend the following method:

Step 1. Place the toothbrush beside the teeth at a 45-degree angle.

Step 2. Gently brush only a small group of teeth at a time (in a circular or elliptical motion) until the entire mouth is covered.

Step 3. Brush the outside of the teeth, inside of the teeth, and the chewing surfaces.

Step 4. Gently brush the tongue to remove bacteria and freshen breath.

Step 5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 at least twice daily, especially after meals and snacks.

What type of toothbrush should be used?

A toothbrush head should be small -- about 1 inch by 1/2 inch -- and should have a handle suitable for firm grasping. The bristles of the brush should be soft, nylon, and rounded at the ends. This helps ensure that the brush bristles are gentle to the gums and tooth surfaces. Soft, polished bristles let you to reach into the crevice (sulcus) between the teeth and gums to remove plaque without damaging the gums. Some brushes are too abrasive and can wear down the tooth enamel. So in most cases, medium and hard bristles are not recommended. Only gentle pressure is needed when brushing to remove the plaque. Too much pressure can cause the gums to recede and can wear away the tooth surface. 

How often should you brush?

Generally, brushing is recommended twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time. People often think they are brushing long enough. But in fact, most people spend less than 1 minute brushing. In addition, it is generally better to brush 2 minutes twice a day instead of brushing quickly 5 or more times throughout the day.

It's important to brush teeth during the day while at school or play. Keeping a toothbrush handy -- in a desk or backpack -- increases the chance that your child will brush during the day.

What is toothpaste?

Toothpaste is made up of the following cleaning ingredients:

• Humectant (helps control moisture) and water (75%)

• Abrasive (20%)

• Foaming and flavoring agents (2%)

• pH buffers (2%)

• Coloring agents, binders, and opacifiers (1.5%)

• Fluoride (.24 %)

Facts about toothpaste

Brushing with toothpaste (particularly toothpaste with fluoride) helps to:

• Remove plaque

• Resist decay

• Promote remineralization (strengthening enamel that has been attacked by acids) 

• Clean and polish teeth

• Remove teeth stains

• Freshen breath

Talk with your child's dentist or primary care provider about when is the best time for your toddler to begin using toothpaste.

Which type of toothpaste is best?

Fluoride is the most crucial ingredient in toothpaste. As long as the toothpaste contains fluoride, the brand or type (paste, gel, or powder) generally does not matter. All fluoride toothpastes work effectively to fight plaque and cavities, and to clean and polish tooth enamel. The brand you choose should have the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval on the container. This means that clinical trials have shown adequate evidence the product is safe and effective. 

Some toothpastes offer tartar control pyrophosphates to prevent the build-up of hard calculus deposits on teeth. Others offer whitening formulas to safely remove stains, making teeth brighter and shinier. But fluoride is the true active ingredient that works the hardest to protect your child's teeth.