Brushing teeth: babies and young children

Before the first tooth erupts, the child's gums should be wiped with soft cotton gauze soaked in with saline solution, several times during the day. When the first tooth appears, start brushing immediately.

Brushing a baby's teeth

• Position the baby so that you can see his/her mouth and make him/her feel safe; it is best to hold his/her head in your lap. With your free hand, hold his/her chin while his/her head is leaned on your body.
• Lift the baby's lip to see the teeth and start brushing with gentle circular motions, taking care to cover each erupted tooth, first from the outside and then from the inside.
• In the beginning, the child will not find this action interesting, but in order to make it part of the daily routine, make it pleasant by singing a song or giving the child a toy to play with.  

Brushing a young child's teeth

• You will brush a young child's teeth too. In the beginning, it will be exclusively your job; however, when the child shows interest in brushing teeth him/herself, accommodate his/her needs, but be aware that help and supervision are needed until school start age, and for some children - even longer.  
• Stand or sit in front of a mirror, behind your child so that he/she can see what you are doing and feel safe.
• Hold the child's chin with your free hand and lean his/her head on your body.
• Tell the child to open his/her mouth and start brushing each tooth from the outside and then from the inside, with gentle circular motions. On chewing surfaces, clean with back and forth motions. Gently brush the child's tongue too.
• After brushing, encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste. It is not necessary to rinse the mouth.
• While brushing your child's teeth, make sure this activity is fun by singing or talking.
• When the child starts brushing his/her own teeth, monitor how he/she does it and, at the end, finish brushing the back teeth that he/she could not reach.  

Toothbrush selection

• There are toothbrushes for children of different ages. They have small oval heads, soft bristles of different lengths and handles with non-slip coating. The handles are usually designed in a fun way to be interesting to the child.
• After use, the toothbrush is washed, placed in an upright position and left to air dry.
• Change the toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if the bristles begin to wear out.   

Choice of toothpaste

• Children's toothpaste should contain a small amount of the mineral fluoride because it strengthens teeth and prevents them from decaying.
• It is introduced towards the end of the second year, initially in a small amount, the size of a grain of rice, and later up to the size of a pea.

Regular cleaning and brushing of your child's teeth should become part of the daily routine from the appearance of the first tooth.