How To Look After Your Child’s Teeth

Use a  pea sized amount of low dose fluoridated toothpaste . Parents need to assist their child, as most children don’t have the manual dexterity to brush their teeth effectively until the age of 7.

The brush should be soft. Some children brush more effectively with an electric toothbrush, as the novelty of an electric device may help your child brush more frequently.  Another good idea is to make your child brush for as long as their favourite song plays, so have it playing in the background.

Young children sometimes won’t cooperate with toothbrushing, but it is important to persevere. Some tips that may help you are:

• For infants and toddlers place your child’s head in your lap or lay them on the bed- be sure you can see into the mouth easily as this will give you good access to brush your child’s teeth.
• Let your child pick out a few toothbrushes with their favourite characters and give them a choice each time about which toothbrush they would like to use – this will give your child a feeling of control over the situation.  Try inexpensive  battery operated toothbrushes to add fun to the task and get them used to having something loud in their mouth – this will make their trips to the dentist much easier.
• Let them brush his or her own teeth – you are only ‘helping out’ at the end.
• Use child friendly flossing aides like the flossettes.
• Use a stepstool and mirror so that your child can be proud of his/her results.
• Have everyone brush their teeth at the same time to show your child that you brush too.
• Continue to encourage brushing habits even if your child is resistant.
• Create a routine that you stick to every day.
• Disclosing tablets are very good way to see if you have been removing the plaque effectively.
• Commence flossing as soon as all baby teeth are present

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