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Are baby teeth appearing little by little? That’s excellent news ! From now on, we will have to take care of it. Hence the importance of brushing, which will allow him to have beautiful and well-maintained teeth. But concretely, how is it going? What type of brush do I need for children? For babies? When to start What techniques to brush your teeth? How long does effective toothbrushing take? Answers from dentist Cléa Lugardon and pedodontist Jona Andersen.
At what age does a baby start brushing his teeth?
For your child’s first toothbrushing, you have to start from the first baby tooth : “Even if the baby has only one baby tooth that has grown for the moment, it can quickly develop cavities. You can start brushing it by rubbing with a water-soaked compress “. explains Cléa Lugardon, dentist. The French Union for Oral Health (UFSBD) recommends brushing when baby is bathing, in order to “include oral hygiene in daily care”. The wet compress can also be applied before the first baby tooth, in order to clean the gums, by rubbing gently.
What type of toothbrush should you choose?
Once the first year has passed, you can buy your first toothbrushes: “These are toothbrushes. with soft bristles, small in size, with very soft filaments. They are really found everywhere, whether in supermarkets or in pharmacies. Some are even equipped with a rattle, for example, to distract the child while brushing, ”explains Jona Andersen, pedodontist. As for the renewal of the toothbrush, you will need to watch out fori the hairs are damaged. As a general rule, it is recommended that you change your brush every three months.
How to choose a baby toothbrush? Can you brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush ? “Electric toothbrushes aren’t necessarily best for toddlers. Normal brushing, well done, will be just as effective. For a slightly older child who is struggling, it can however be useful, ”advises Cléa Lugardon, dentist.
How does tooth brushing change over the months?
« Before six years of the child, parents must always supervise brushing. It takes a while for the child to have the dexterity to brush his teeth himself, ”says Cléa Lugardon. Once this milestone has passed, the child will be able to start brushing their teeth, but it is important that parents are there to ensure that brushing is effective: “There may always be risks that the child swallows the toothbrush, but also that badly masters brushinge. I recommend that parents always brush their teeth at the same time as their child, which allows them to supervise. Full autonomy usually arrives between eight and ten years old », Explains Jona Andersen.
Regarding the frequency of brushing, the UFSBD recommends a single brushing in the evening before 2 years, then twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, thereafter. Regarding the duration of brushing, you should brush your teeth for at least two minutes for each daily brushing.
The steps of brushing teeth
Here you are, toothbrush in hand, ready to eliminate any risk of cavities from your child’s mouth… What is the best way to learn to take the right reflexes very early on to keep beautiful teeth? The UFSBD recommends that you stand behind your child’s head, and prop his head against your chest. Then, prop her head back slightly, putting your hand under her chin. As for brushing, start with the lower teeth, and finish with the upper ones, each time proceeding side by side. The brushing movement is from bottom to top. For toddlers it is recommended not to rinse the toothbrush before brushing.
From the age of four, when all the milk teeth are in place, the so-called method should be used. «1, 2, 3, 4», which consists of starting the brushing at the bottom left of the jaw then at the bottom right, then at the top right and finally at the top left.
What type of toothpaste should I use for young children?
Brushing is great, but what should you put on the toothbrush? In 2019, the UFSBD issued new recommendations for toothpastefluorinated to be used in children: “The dosage in fluorine must be 1000 ppm between the six months and six years of the child, and 1450 ppm beyond six years ”. What do ppm and fluorine mean? Fluoride is a chemical material that is put into toothpaste in very small amounts, which is called ppm (parts per million). To check the correct amount of fluoride, all you need to do is look at the information on the toothpaste packages. “It is recommended to be careful when buying vegan toothpaste in particular. Some are fine, but sometimes others simply do not contain fluoride, which can increase the risk of cavities in children, ”says Jona Andersen.
As for the quantity, there is no point in putting too much! “Before six years old, the equivalent of a pea on the toothbrush is more than enough, ”says Cléa Lugardon.
How to make tooth washing more fun?
Does your child not feel like brushing their teeth? If you find yourself really in trouble, know that there are solutions to make cleaning your teeth more fun : “You can use a toothbrush with little lights to hold your attention. And for the older ones, there are connected toothbrushes, with applications in the form of games to learn how to brush your teeth properly ”, illustrates Jona Andersen. You can also watch fun brushing videos on YouTube, which will show your child in real time how to brush their teeth properly. Brushing teeth should become fun for the child. Enough to ensure her beautiful teeth for a long time!