How to brush children's teeth? Did you know that it's not advisable to leave the oral hygiene of young children solely to them? In other words, parents or guardians should provide constant supervision.
This monitoring includes encouraging them to develop the habit of brushing their teeth by placing the toothbrush in their hand and teaching them the correct brushing motion. They should also check the results of this brushing, pointing out any possible mistakes.
And lastly, they'll brush their teeth again after brushing theirs to ensure the service is effective. Of course, this isn't for babies, who also need some basic care. But then what's the best way? How do you brush children's teeth?
How to brush children's teeth?
The presence of microorganisms from bacterial plaqueBacteria is a natural occurrence that affects us all. In a natural birth, the baby is born already in contact with bacteria. And just like all of us, even after a cesarean section, even the air breathed through the mouth will carry bacteria. The same is true for sucking on a finger, pacifier, food, and putting objects in the mouth.
Undeniably, these bacteria immersed in saliva, along with their proteins and food debris, are integral to a kind of ecology of the oral environment. Therefore, they will always be reproducing and constantly increasing the volume of bacterial plaque.
Therefore, the secret to maintaining oral ecological balance, which logically must include the preservation of teeth and soft tissues, is the routine removal of these volumes of bacterial plaque, because plaque will always grow back and we have to combat this growth every single day.
How to brush children's teeth?
Here are some tips on the best way to brush children's teeth:
1. Choose a toothbrush suitable for children, with soft bristles and a size appropriate for the child's age.
2. My suggestion is to start brushing. without toothpaste. What removes plaque is the friction of the bristles, not the toothpaste. Sit on a sofa, lay the child down on the sofa with their head in your lap. This positioning is similar to the dentist's working position. It's possible to see and examine all the surfaces of the teeth with less effort.
3. Teach the child to brush all surfaces of their teeth, including the front, back, and chewing surfaces. Encourage them to brush gently in short circular or back-and-forth motions. Take a look at the part of the article that describes the Fones technique.
Follow a cycle so you don't keep going back over teeth that have already been brushed. Brush two teeth at a time and move on to the next neighboring teeth: don't waste time and don't miss any tooth surface.
After you finish brushing your teeth, it's time to hand the toothbrush to the child. They will then do their part at the bathroom sink. At this point, you will apply a small amount of toothpaste to the brush.
4. However, use an appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste. For example, for children under 3 years old, use an amount equivalent to a grain of uncooked rice. Similarly, for children aged 3 to 6 years, use an amount the size of a pea.
When should we start using dental floss?
5. Flossing is important to remove plaque between teeth, where the toothbrush cannot reach. Introduce flossing as soon as the child's teeth begin to touch each other.
6. Establish a regular brushing routine, at least twice a day, preferably after meals and before bed.
7. Supervise young children while they brush their teeth to ensure they are brushing correctly and not swallowing the toothpaste.
8. Encourage the child to spit out the excess toothpaste after brushing.
How to brush children's teeth?
I want to suggest a few details on how to do this brushing. The Fones technique was designed for children because it is simple and suitable for their age-appropriate motor skills.
Ear Brushing Technique
Step 1: Preparation
– Use a children's toothbrush with soft bristles and an appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste suitable for the child's age (usually a pea-sized amount).
Step 2: Brushing technique
– Ask the child to bring their teeth together and hold the toothbrush with the bristles at an angle of about 90 degrees to the teeth and gums.
– Start by brushing the outer surfaces of your teeth, using short, gentle circular motions. Do not lift the bristles completely. Make sure to reach all areas, including the molars. Brush two teeth at a time.
– Brush the inner surfaces of your teeth (the surfaces facing your tongue and palate) with short, gentle circular motions. The handle of the brush should move, but the bristles should barely be lifted from their place.
– To brush the chewing surface of the molars, use gentle circular motions.
Don't forget to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
Step 3: Pay attention to the duration.
– Brush the child's teeth for at least 5 seconds on each surface of every group of 2 or 3 teeth to ensure a thorough cleaning. It's helpful to use a timer or a short song to make the process more fun and keep the child engaged.
Step 4: Rinse
After brushing their teeth, the child should spit out the excess toothpaste and rinse well with water.
Step 5: Supervision and care
Young children may not have the necessary dexterity to brush their teeth on their own. Therefore, parents or guardians should supervise and, if necessary, assist with brushing until the child can do it independently.
Remember that it's important to encourage regular tooth brushing and maintain regular dental checkups to ensure that the child's oral health is properly monitored and cared for from an early age.
How to brush children's teeth?
Tongue Brushing
8. If the child allows it, don't forget to brush their tongue as well to remove bacteria and prevent plaque buildup. You can't force it at this stage of life. Everyone has a certain tolerance level regarding the proximity of the back of the tongue and/or throat to the gag reflex – nausea!
So we should ask the child to stick their tongue out and explain that we want to clean that yellow or white coating that forms there. In this sense, tongue scrapers are better suited for this task than toothbrushes. And they come in various sizes to try.
9. See a dentist regularly for dental checkups and professional cleanings. The dentist can offer specific guidance on your child's oral health.
Remember that every child is unique, so it's necessary to adapt brushing techniques to the child's individual needs and abilities, and according to their age. Furthermore, teaching young children about oral hygiene is a way to encourage independence and aid in the development of motor coordination. Promote a positive attitude towards brushing and encourage healthy oral care habits from an early age. You will prevent cavities, bad breath, and other problems.
How to brush children's teeth?
How to care for a baby's teeth?
Brushing a baby's teeth requires special care, especially when the first teeth start to appear. Here are some tips:
1. Before the first teeth appear, clean your baby's gums with a damp gauze pad or a clean cloth after each feeding. This helps remove food debris and bacteria.
2. Use only water to brush your baby's first teeth until he or she is one year old.
3. Position the baby comfortably, supporting their head in your lap or on a firm surface, so that you have a good view of the baby's mouth.
4. Next, hold the brush at a 90-degree angle to the baby's teeth and gently brush in short circular or back-and-forth motions. Then focus on the front and back of the teeth. Take a look at the part of the article that describes the Fones technique.
How to brush children's teeth?
Remember that brushing babies' teeth should be gentle and careful. Be patient, make the experience fun, and encourage the baby's active participation whenever possible.
Eventually, our little girl, even when she was quite grown up, would grab her toothbrush at bedtime and ask me to brush her teeth. Then she'd like to lay her head in my lap and almost fall asleep. I think she thought it was a head rub! The hard part was getting her to get up to use the toothpaste in the bathroom! Time passes, and the memories remain.
In addition, consult a pediatric dentist for further guidance and regular monitoring of your baby's oral health.
Author: Ana Cássia Johanson, Dental Technician.
Reference: https://www.scielo.br/j/jped/a/fpynyRtkTbNsXfdtkpxVF9q/?lang=pt