Developing a good oral hygiene routine early on can help them build a lifetime of healthy habits for a brighter, stronger smile. Here’s how to brush baby teeth, protect toddlers’ growing smiles, and strengthen teeth for kids ages 6 and up.

HOW TO BRUSH BABY TEETH

There’s a lot of information you can discover, but these basics are a good beginning.

• Once teething begins at about 4 to 6 months, get your little ones used to having their teeth brushed. Extra-soft bristles and a pea-sized dab of non-fluoride toothpaste are best.
• Wipe away plaque bacteria to better prevent cavities by gently cleaning a newborn baby’s gums with a damp cloth after feeding. Just be sure to use water or a fluoride-free training toothpaste like Crest Baby Training Toothpaste and Toothbrush Kit, Disney Winnie the Pooh, Mild Strawberry Gel.
• Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle of formula or juices that contain sugar.
• Even babies can develop gingivitis, decay and cavities, so it’s a good idea to see a pediatric dentist early—use a “first visit by first birthday” strategy.

TEETH BRUSHING FOR KIDS 3+

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.

Follow these steps when brushing your child’s teeth:

1. Brush teeth and along the gum line for 2 minutes, 2X/day.
2. Gently brush using circular motions as you move from one tooth to the next.
3. Brush back and forth on teeth chewing surfaces.
4. Have your child spit out the toothpaste after brushing.
5. Do not rinse with water to get the full cavity protection benefits of fluoride toothpaste.

Additional kids’ brushing tips to keep in mind:

• The ADA recommends the use of pea-sized fluoride toothpaste from age three—but make sure they’re not swallowing.
• Want to teach the proper length of time for brushing? Try singing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” for 2 minutes or brush with the Disney Magic Timer App from Oral-B for even more fun. The interactive app features their favorite Disney characters and rewards them with exciting stickers, so kids are more motivated to brush the dentist-recommended 2 minutes.
• Kids can start brushing with an electric toothbrush at age 3. Oral-B® Electric Toothbrushes have lots of designs that feature popular Disney characters. Now kids can have more fun brushing with their buddies from Disney Princesses to Marvel’s Spider-Man.
• Usually by age three or four, all 20 primary, or “baby,” teeth have appeared. Baby teeth impact the alignment of adult teeth, making it that much more important to properly care for them. Permanent, or “adult,” teeth appear by age six and may continue to emerge into their 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.

TEETH BRUSHING FOR KIDS 6+

As kids get older, they want to feel more independent. Part of growing up includes assuming responsibility for taking care of their own teeth—without prompting from parents. Appeal to what matters to them: Some kids want to look good to their peers while others just want to get through brushing as fast as possible.

To teach kids more about proper brushing time, try the Disney Magic Timer App. Plus, brushing with an electric toothbrush featuring their favorite characters can also encourage them to maintain good oral care habits.

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.