Brushing your childs teeth
By the age of three or four your child should be able to brush his or her teeth on their own, but will probably require supervision until the age of eight. Follow these general guidelines for introducing your child to brushing on their own.
- Brush your childs teeth until they are about three, then encourage them to join in, whilst supervised.
- Brush twice a day - morning and before bed.
- Spend two minutes brushing.
- Use a pea sized amount of childrens toothpaste and a childrens toothbrush with soft bristles and a small round head.
- Brush your teeth with your child - helps motivate them, and they can copy you, which helps them learn.
- Replace your childs toothbrush when it begins to show wear, or every three months. (Whichever comes first.)
- Guide your child away from sugary foods and fizzy drinks.
- Try to introduce good interdental cleaning at an early age.
- Discourage your children from sucking their thumbs - this can cause the top tront teeth to stick out over time.