Toothbrushing Tips for Young Children

Each child has different skills and needs that can guide parents in helping him or her brush.

Tips to Help Young Children Practice Brushing & Make It A Good Experience:

• Choosing a toothbrush. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush designed for brushing an infant’s or child’s teeth.
• Holding a toothbrush. If the child has trouble holding a toothbrush, try making the handle thicker by putting it inside a tennis ball. The toothbrush handle can also be strapped to the child’s hand with a wide rubber band, a hair band, or Velcro. Toothbrushes with thick handles can also be found in retail and discount stores.
• Teaching the child how to brush. Break the process into small steps that the child can understand and practice. Ask a dentist, dental hygienist, occupational therapist, or early childhood specialist for help, if needed. Another way is to place a hand over the child’s hand to guide the toothbrush as the child brushes. 
• Using toothpaste with fluoride. Use toothpaste with fluoride that the child likes and that feels good in his or her mouth. An adult should always place toothpaste on the toothbrush. 
• For children under age 3: Use a small smear of flouride toothpaste (or an amount about the size of a grain of rice). 
• For children ages 3–6: Use a pea-size amount of flouride toothpaste. 
• If a child cannot spit: Have the child tilt his or her mouth down so that the toothpaste can dribble out into the sink, a cup, or a washcloth. Since the fluoride in toothpaste is clearly meant to be swishes but not swallowed, make sure to help or watch the child while brushing. When she is old enough, tell her to spit out the toothpaste after brushing.
• Positioning the child. There are many ways a child can be positioned to make the child feel comfortable and allow an adult to brush his or her teeth. 
• Keeping the child engaged in brushing. Use a timer, a short song, or counting as a game to encourage brushing for 2 minutes.

Additional Information:

• Let the Brushing Games Begin
• First Steps to a Healthy Smile
• Establishing Good Toothbrushing Habits (Audio)

Last Updated

11/21/2015

Source

Adapted from Brush Up on Oral Health Newsletter (Copyright © 2013 The National Center on Health)

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Teeth Grinding in Children

Many children grind their teeth with a loud, grating sound while asleep.

Tooth grinding (or bruxism) is very common, particularly in toddlers and preschoolers. In most children, it goes away by 6 years, but some continue to grind their teeth into adolescence and even adulthood.

Tooth grinding doesn’t mean that your child is having a nightmare or reliving a frustrating event from the daytime. Some causes of tooth grinding include pain (for instance, from an ear infection or teething) and improper alignment of the teeth.

Although stress and anxiety can also increase tooth grinding, there is no connection between tooth grinding and problems of behavior or personality. Since it usually goes away before the permanent teeth are in, in most cases it is unlikely to damage the teeth; however, if you have any concerns, check with your child’s dentist and mention it at each regular dental check-ups.

Last Updated

11/21/2015

Source

Sleep: What Every Parent Needs to Know (Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics)

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Taking the Mystery Out of Toothbrush Storage

It’s a fact that bacteria can grow on toothbrushes after they’ve been used, especially if wet toothbrushes are kept in closed, dark places. Wet toothbrush bristles should not be covered. They should air dry.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Recommends:

After brushing, it’s best to rinse toothbrushes with water to clean off remaining toothpaste and small pieces of food. Then the toothbrushes should be stored in an upright position to air dry. If several toothbrushes are stored in the same holder, make sure there is enough space between the toothbrushes so that they do not touch each other. Remember to label each toothbrush with the child’s name.
Do not soak toothbrushes in bleach water or other disinfecting solutions. And toothbrushes do not need to be placed in dishwashers, microwaves, or ultraviolet devices to disinfect them. These methods may damage the toothbrushes.

Additional Information: 

• Cleaners, Sanitizers & Disinfectants
• The Use and Handling of Toothbrushes (CDC.gov)

Last Updated

11/21/2015

Source

Brush Up on Oral Health Newsletter (Copyright © 2012 The National Center on Health)

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.