Brushing
We highly recommend that parents help with their child’s brushing until the age of 8. Brushing removes food debris and bacteria (plaque) from their teeth and gum tissue which can help reduce cavities, gingivitis and bad breath. Dry tooth brushing for 1 minute is the most effective and efficient way of removing plaque because the foaming properties of the toothpaste can interfere with the ability to see in the child’s mouth. Dry tooth brushing should be followed with 1 minute of brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Dry tooth brushing can be done with a manual or electric brush but not with a Sonicare brush. Fluoride toothpaste can help reduce decay by 35%. Children 1-2 years of age should use only a slight smear of the paste on their brush. Children 2 and older can use a pea size amount.
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Amount of toothpaste after
one year of age
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Pea-sized amount of toothpaste
after 2 years of age
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Flossing
The majority of decay in a child is found between the teeth. Children will need a parent’s help with flossing as early as ages 3-4. As long as there are spaces between the child’s molars, these areas can be kept clean with a toothbrush. As the child matures and these spaces close together, it is important to use dental floss to keep these areas clean. We also recommend the water pik in place of flossing for our patients in braces or those over the age of 7 that have a difficult time using dental floss.