How to Care for a Toddler's Teeth

Brush your toddler's teeth for a healthy smile.

Even though your toddler's teeth will fall out to be replaced by a permanent set, it's important to establish healthy oral habits early on. Teach your child that brushing twice daily and flossing after meals can have long-reaching effects. If your toddler is hesitant, find a way to make tooth brushing a fun ritual. Create a silly tooth-brushing song, read books about toddlers learning how to brush their teeth or let your child brush your teeth for a change.

Instructions

1. Clean your toddler’s teeth and tongue twice daily -- once in the morning after breakfast and once at night before bed. Before your toddler is 18 months old, wipe his teeth down with a clean, warm cloth. Once he reaches 18 months, brush his teeth with a soft toothbrush, water and a grain-sized amount of toothpaste. After your toddler turns two, increase his toothpaste to a pea-sized amount. Until your child learns how to brush his teeth without swallowing and how to rinse his mouth with water, buy toothpaste that is specifically made for toddlers and that is harmless when swallowed. Allow your child to practice brushing his own teeth for fun, but recognize that his motor skills won’t develop adequately for him to brush his teeth independently until he’s about 6 years old.

2. Floss in between your child’s teeth once per day as soon as his teeth begin touching one another. Brush and floss your child’s teeth when he is alert and well rested, not grouchy and tired. Be consistent with your routine, even if your child resists or rebels. While it may be easier to back off and appease him in the moment, remind yourself of the long-term benefits daily flossing and brushing provide.

3. Schedule annual dental visits once your child reaches the age of 1 year to familiarize your child with his dentist and begin preventive care. Visits to the dentist also allow parents to ask questions and get reassurance and advice about their child’s oral-care regimen.

4. Don’t send your child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup filled with anything but water. Milk or juice in a sippy cup will slowly leak into your sleeping toddler’s mouth, allowing sugar and bacteria to eat away at his teeth and cause rapid tooth decay. For the same reason, don’t allow your child to drink large amounts of juice during the day.

5. Feed your child a balanced diet full of calcium-rich foods that will help yield strong teeth and bones. Keep sweets to a minimum.

6. Replace your toddler’s toothbrush once the bristles begin to look used and worn.

References

• Baby Center: Tooth Care for Children
• Kid's Health: Keeping Your Child's Teeth Healthy
• Colgate: How Do I Care for My Toddler's Teeth?
• Web MD: 7 Ways to Protect Your Child's Oral Health