Inside: Teething, Toothpaste & Brushing: Why It’s Important For Your Child. Collaborative post.
Just the thought of brushing your child’s teeth might be more overwhelming than the activity itself. However, regular toothbrushing is an essential life skill that will ensure your little one has the best chance of a healthy oral hygiene journey as they develop into an adult.
From helping to remove decay-causing plaque and bacteria to preventing gum disease, brushing your kid’s teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day will help build a good daily routine. But they can’t do it without your help!
Read on to discover why teething, toothpaste and brushing are all important factors in your child’s development:
Why is teething important?
Baby, milk or primary teeth are all incredibly valuable to your child’s growth and development. Often people assume that they fall out, so they simply don’t matter.
But then you stop and think about teething. It’s not a comfortable experience for your babe. From dribbling to red sore gums to the moment that first tooth finally pokes through, the teething process can be long and arduous for both of you.
But why are baby teeth so important?
- Space holders: babies simply don’t have the jaw space to accommodate the number and size of permanent adult teeth! So baby teeth work as placeholders until their jaw is developed enough to support adult teeth
- Chewing: without baby teeth, your child would miss out on that key survival skill – eating!
- Supports speech development and oral muscles: your baby or tot relies on their baby teeth to do everything from forming words to shaping their face
So the next time your baby wakes in the middle of the night while they are teething or says their first word, remember to take care of their developing gums and teeth regularly!
Gum care
Gummy smiles may be the highlight of your day at the moment, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes in your little one’s mouth.
Each time nutrient-rich milk – breast or formula – enters your baby’s mouth, sugary deposits are left to sit on their gums. Left unattended, these sugars can form acidic bacteria and plaque, all before your tot’s first tooth appears. That means an increased chance of tooth decay, stinky breathe and gum disease.
Fortunately, your little one’s oral hygiene journey can start today. Simply gently wipe their gums after each feed with a clean, damp cloth or specially formulated dental wipe and any leftover food debris or sugary deposits will be cleared away. This will also help your baby move on to the next stage when you introduce them to their first toothbrush.
Introducing a brush to your tot
Your tot’s first tooth is likely to appear somewhere between the 6 to the 12-month mark. By this point, they are likely to be sitting up and will have experienced some form of food, so getting to grips with a regular toothbrushing routine is not only essential but necessary at this stage.
But you don’t need to overthink it. There is one simple rule when it comes to brushing your teeth, no matter how young or old you are: two minutes, twice a day. That’s it. Perfect for building into your little one’s daily routine – once in the morning, and just before they finally go down for the night. Simple.
One of the best ways to get them started is to introduce them to a soft-bristled, round-headed toothbrush, and what better way to do it than at bathtime! That way, you can slip brushing into their routine and normalise it alongside their other bedtime activities.
You will, of course, have to support and supervise your tot through each stage of their toothbrushing journey. From showing them how to brush each tooth to applying toothpaste, they will be lead by your example.
When you get started, it’s usually best to hold your child on your lap with their head supported by your chest, and gently start to brush their teeth. The closeness will boost their confidence, combined with your soothing words as you talk about what’s happening.
What about toothpaste and brushing?
Toothpaste comes in all shapes, flavours and sizes. Whether you want fruity strawberry, melon, apple or banana, the more traditional muted down zesty mint flavours or the slightly more wacky chocolate or bubblegum, there is an abundant world of children’s toothpastes to choose from.
Then you need to choose between fluoride-based vs fluoride-free pastes. Currently, there is no evidence that supports fluoride damaging children’s teeth. Fluoride is an enamel strengthening ingredient that has been used for the best part of a century throughout the world. But, there is a wave of thought out there that it is a harsh ingredient for developing mouths. Whatever you choose, the more practice your tot is at having their teeth brushed, the better.
NHS England recommends the following:
For all age groups, you and your child should brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes, twice a day. That’s once in the morning, and last thing before bed at night with your supervision at all times.
0 – 3 year olds
- Start brushing as soon as your baby’s first milk tooth appears
- Use an age-appropraite kids toothbrush
- Brush twice a day for two minutes using an age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste (always read the label)
- Use a children’s toothpaste with no less than 1,000ppm of fluoride or a family toothpaste that contains between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm fluoride
- Don’t put more than a rice grain or a smear of toothpaste on the brush
- Ensure your child doesn’t eat or lick paste straight from the tube!
3 – 6 year olds
- Continue to brush as above
- Use no more than a pea sized amount of toothpaste
- Spit don’t rinse after brushing so the fluoride can strengthen your child’s enamel as they sleep
7 years+
- Continue to brush as above
- Increase your child’s fluoride toothpaste content to between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm of fluoride
No matter what stage your child is at, make sure you are always on hand to offer helpful tips, to supervise and to keep toothbrushing fun!
Good oral hygiene starts at home. Like all routines, the earlier you start and keep up consistency, the quicker you will normalise toothbrushing into your little one’s daily life!