How to properly brush children's teeth?
Parents naturally have several questions about brushing their children's teeth. In this article, we will explain when to start brushing your child's teeth and how to do it, and finally, how to prevent baby tooth decay.
First care of baby teeth
Baby teeth usually start erupting between the fourth and eighth month. In most cases, all 20 baby teeth erupt by the age of three. Around the age of six, children's baby teeth start to fall out and are gradually replaced by permanent teeth, of which there are 32.
The incisors are the first teeth to fall out, followed by the first molars and canine teeth. Eventually the second molars fall out, this usually occurs between the ages of 10 and 12. In this age, teeth stop growing, except for wisdom teeth that might not grow in at all. Dental care is important from the very beginning of the growth of the baby teeth.
Tooth growth is often painful. Parents can ensure soothing the pain during this period with teethers or dental gels, such as Kamistad Baby Gel,, thanks to the natural ingredient of German Chamomile extract in its formulation that help soothes the teething pain effectively.
When to start brushing baby’s teeth?
Parents often ask when to start brushing baby teeth. It is recommended to focus on oral hygiene as early as possible, even when the baby's teeth have not yet grown in. Taking care of infants' gums, which are prone to inflammation, is also important. How to care for them? After each breastfeeding, it is a good idea to wipe the mucous membrane with a wet nappy.
The moment the first teeth erupt, which is usually at six months, it is a good idea to visit a dentist or dental hygienist who will explain the appropriate brushing technique.
Baby tooth decay
Tooth decay is the most common chronic infectious childhood disease. You may be thinking that it doesn't matter if cavities appear on baby teeth because they will fall out eventually anyway. But that's not the case. Milk teeth lay the foundation for permanent teeth, and cavities in milk teeth can lead to a higher risk of future problems associated with permanent teeth.
There are three factors that contribute to tooth decay, namely sugar, plaque, and acids. Broken or chipped baby teeth are very prone to cavities as well and baby tooth extraction is recommended in these cases. However, the good news is that tooth decay can be prevented with good daily oral care habits.
Baby bottle: One of the common causes of tooth decay
One of the most common causes of baby tooth decay is the daily use of a baby bottle with milk, formula, or juice, for example. This is because if a child drinks anything other than plain water from a bottle, his or her teeth are in constant contact with sugar and other caries-causing substances.
Doctors therefore recommend that a child should learn to drink from an open cup instead of a baby bottle by his or her first birthday.
How to treat dental caries?
As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t put off a dental check-up, even if the baby's teeth don't hurt. In fact, you may not be able to detect tooth decay or any other problem on your own. In addition, if you only visit the dentist's office for the first time when your child is in pain, he or she will not cooperate with the doctor and will be very fearful of future visits.
And what to do when the first cavities appear? Don't wait for anything and go to the doctor. This is because cavities can spread very quickly in a child's tooth, so it is important to catch it in its early stages when it can be easily treated.
Brushing baby teeth step by step
You can clean the first teeth with a damp cloth wrapped around your finger or with a so-called baby toothbrush. In the beginning, parents should brush their children's teeth. From about two years of age, you can let your child try to brush his or her own teeth, but until about 10 years of age, you should finish the brushing properly.
The interdental spaces are often underestimated, but they should be given the utmost attention because it is in the interdental spaces that tooth decay most often occurs.
How can you tell if older children are really brushing their teeth thoroughly and have the right brushing technique? A great tip is a special plaque disclosing tablet which, after brushing, turns the areas where plaque has remained purple.
How often to brush baby teeth and with what?
As with adults, children's teeth should be brushed twice a day, morning and evening. Proper brushing should take approximately 3 minutes. Before the first teeth erupt, you should use a baby gum cleaner. It is recommended that you get your child's first baby toothbrush when he or she starts teething, which is around 6 months. This should be a special toothbrush for baby teeth, which is either all rubber or has very fine and soft fibres.
With the first proper toothbrush you should start using a baby toothpaste. The choice of the baby toothbrush should always be appropriate to the age of the child. It is also possible to reach for a children's electric toothbrush to make brushing easier. Electric toothbrushes are available even for the first teeth from the age of three.
Motivation is the key or Brushing teeth is fun!
For most children, brushing their teeth is not their favourite activity. That's why we've put together a few tips to motivate children to do it with pleasure.
If you struggle with brushing your children's teeth, dental hygienists say it can help if you tell them stories and fairy tales while brushing. Children will then feel that brushing their teeth is actually a fun activity. Other proven tips for parents include an incentive calendar with smiley face stickers as a reward if the child brushes his or her teeth. It can also help if the whole family brushes their teeth at the same time, making brushing a nice family ritual.
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For daily oral hygiene, toothbrush, mouthwash and interdental floss should not be missing. Learn more with our tips for oral care.