How to Care for Babies' Teeth for Ages 0-2
There's a lot of information you can discover, but these basics are a good beginning.
- Clean a newborn's gums gently with a damp washcloth or gauze. Once teeth erupt, use a child-sized soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Use only the age-appropriate amount of toothpaste, supervise brushing closely, and have the child spit out excess toothpaste when able.
- When the first tooth erupts, use a child-sized extra-soft toothbrush. For toothpaste amount and fluoride use, consult your child's dental professional.
- Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle, especially one containing juice or other sweetened drinks. Milk and formula also contain sugars and can contribute to decay when teeth are exposed frequently or for prolonged periods, especially at bedtime. Encourage cup use around 6 months, and aim to transition away from bottles by about 12 months.
- Even babies can develop tooth decay, so it's a good idea to see a dentist by the first tooth eruption or by the first birthday.
How to Care for Toddlers' Teeth for Ages 3-5
Now that your child’s teeth have come in, keeping them clean is key to healthy adult teeth. Brushing can be challenging at this age, but it’s still important to keep their teeth clean by brushing twice a day. Here are some helpful tips to make brushing easier.
Showing by example and making it fun is the name of the game. When everyone brushes at the same time, it becomes a family ritual that kids look forward to.
- Use fluoridated toothpaste in the age-appropriate amount under caregiver supervision, and help your child spit out excess toothpaste rather than swallow it. Want to teach how long to brush? Try singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or another upbeat favorite for two minutes.
- Use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste for children ages 3 to 6, following the product label and dental professional guidance.
- Usually by ages 3 or 4, all 20 primary, or baby teeth, have appeared. Permanent, or adult teeth, appear by age 6 and may continue to emerge into the teen years.
- If you have a toddler who is afraid of the dentist, you might make your little one more comfortable by letting him or her sit in your lap during the exam.
To teach kids more about proper brushing time, try the Disney Magic Timer App.
How to Care for Teeth for Ages 6 to 12
Help brush your child’s teeth and supervise brushing until they can brush well on their own and spit out excess toothpaste. As they build confidence and skill, you can gradually give them more independence while still checking that they’re using good technique.
As kids get older, they often want more independence. Taking care of their own teeth is part of that process. You can help by reminding them to brush, checking their technique, and reinforcing the habits that keep their teeth healthy.
- Brushing should be the last thing they do before bedtime and should occur on one other occasion during the day.
- Brush for two minutes with a child-sized soft-bristled toothbrush. A powered toothbrush can be a good option for some children.
- After brushing, have your child spit out excess toothpaste; some dental professionals also advise avoiding immediate rinsing so fluoride can remain on the teeth longer.
- If your child uses a powered toothbrush, help them guide the brush slowly across the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
- Encourage two minutes of brushing by using a two-minute timer or music timer.
- If using a manual toothbrush, your child should place the brush at a 45-degree angle from the gum line, then apply gentle pressure while moving in a circular motion.
- Many children begin brushing more independently during the early school years, but they may still need supervision until they can consistently brush well on their own.
Another challenge for many children is limiting sugary snacks and drinks. Choosing healthier options more often can support both oral health and overall health. If your child plays sports, ask a dental professional about a mouthguard to help protect their teeth from injury.
Flossing is an important lesson to teach. You might also want to ask your dental professional about sealants or fluoride treatments for added protection against decay.
* NIH.gov: Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General
Take the Fright Out of Holiday Candy with These Oral Care Tips
It's hard to find a child who doesn't love holidays—especially ones that are accompanied by heaps of candy and treats, like Halloween, Valentine's Day, and Easter.
Because tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases in children, it’s important to teach your child early how sugary treats can affect their teeth and what you can do to help prevent cavities.
Every time we eat, bacteria interact with our food to produce acids that attack teeth, leading to decay. The more sugar, the more acid that gets produced, which is why sugary, sticky foods, and beverages are more likely to create decay. This is especially true between meals, when the mouth produces less saliva to combat and neutralize the acids, allowing them to do more damage.
Here are some simple ways to help reduce the effects of sugar on your child’s teeth:
- If your child has sweets, offer them with meals instead of frequent snacks between meals.
- Offer lower-sugar snack options when you can, and limit how often your child has sugary treats.
- Hard candy can get stuck between kids’ teeth, which can cause cavities. Flossing can help remove the candy particles.
- To help pace the amount of candy your child is consuming around holidays like Halloween and Easter, store excess candy in a sealed container and establish set times when your child can have a treat.
- Encourage children to drink water. Community fluoridated tap water is associated with fewer cavities in children; if using bottled water, fluoride content varies by product.
Kids Oral Care Recommendations
Complete Your Child’s Oral Care Routine
- Clean your baby’s gums gently before teeth erupt, and once teeth appear, brush twice a day with a child-sized soft-bristled toothbrush.
- When the first tooth erupts, use a ‘smear’ of toothpaste for children from 2-3 years old and a “pea-sized” amount for children aged 3 to 6 years.
- Choose an age-appropriate product and follow the product label.
- For kids ages 3 and up, consider an age-appropriate Oral-B Kids electric toothbrush if it’s a good fit for your child.
- Pair brushing with an age-appropriate fluoridated toothpaste for kids, following the product label.
- Use tools like the Disney Magic Timer App to help make brushing for two minutes more fun.
- If your child’s toothbrush has a built-in timer, use it to help them brush for the full two minutes.
- Visit their dental professional as recommended for checkups and cleanings.
Choose age-appropriate oral care products that fit your child’s needs and stage of development.
