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Tooth Brushing for Children

How to Care for Children’s Teeth as They Erupt and When Baby Teeth Start to Fall Out

Oral care should ideally begin during pregnancy. Expectant mothers should be advised during dental hygiene appointments about the importance of their oral health during pregnancy and its potential impact on their overall health and pregnancy. A healthy, balanced diet during pregnancy is also important, as the foundations of the primary teeth develop during this period. A breastfeeding mother can likewise support the healthy development of her child’s teeth by ensuring an adequate intake of essential nutrients.

During a dental hygiene appointment, parents can learn how to care for a newborn’s mouth before the first teeth appear, when individual teeth are expected to erupt, how and with what to clean children’s teeth, and which aids are suitable for caring for their first teeth.

During the first year of a child’s life, the gums and teeth should be cleaned twice a day. A soft gauze pad, damp washcloth, single-tufted toothbrush or special finger toothbrush can be used. A finger toothbrush is a special sleeve designed for cleaning a baby’s first teeth. It is made from very soft silicone and does not contain PVC. A single-tufted toothbrush can also be used to thoroughly clean individual erupted teeth and remove bacterial plaque.

Baby teeth are particularly susceptible to tooth decay because their enamel is softer. The areas most at risk are the fissures between the cusps of the back baby molars.

The first baby tooth usually erupts at around 6–8 months of age, followed by the remaining primary teeth. Children have a total of 20 primary teeth. By around the age of three, the primary dentition is usually fully erupted, while the permanent teeth continue developing inside the jawbones beneath the baby teeth.

Every child should learn to see tooth brushing as a pleasant, painless and necessary part of everyday life. Start with a positive approach and make brushing fun. Let your child brush your teeth, smile and act enthusiastic, and make the toothbrush feel like a favourite toy. In return, your child may be more willing to let you brush their teeth too, making the experience easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

With younger children, it is generally easiest to teach brushing from red to white, with the mouth open. This means brushing from the gums towards the teeth – downwards in the upper jaw and upwards in the lower jaw. Use small circular movements to clean the chewing surfaces. Parents will usually need to finish cleaning the inner surfaces themselves.

To support your child’s first attempts at brushing independently, choose a toothbrush appropriate for their motor skills.

The most suitable toothbrush has an easy-to-grip, non-slip handle, a small head, and straight, soft and densely packed bristles.

Even before the first baby tooth falls out – usually the lower first incisor – four new permanent teeth often erupt around the age of six, behind the last baby molars on both sides of the upper and lower jaws. Parents may not notice these teeth, but they are the permanent first molars, commonly known as the “six-year molars”. These teeth are intended to last a lifetime, yet they can develop decay early on if they are not properly cared for.

Take care of your children’s baby teeth and learn about proper dental hygiene to support their health, beautiful smiles and lifelong oral health.