How To Maintain Proper Dental Hygiene For Kids?

Keeping your child's smile healthy and bright is more than just about preventing cavities—it's about setting them up for a lifetime of good oral habits. Maintaining proper dental hygiene for kids is essential to ensure healthy baby teeth, milk teeth, and eventually strong adult teeth. 

Teaching good oral hygiene habits early on, such as brushing the chewing surfaces and gum lines, plays a crucial role in caring for your child’s oral health. From teaching them how to floss properly to prevent tooth decay and understanding why those regular dental check-ups are so important, this guide will walk you through the essentials of maintaining proper dental hygiene for kids.

Brushing Teeth

Infants

It’s a good idea to start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as that first tooth appears, which is usually around 6 months old. At first, your baby might not be too thrilled about this new routine. If they’re not quite ready for a toothbrush, begin by gently wiping their teeth with a damp cloth. This helps them get used to the sensation of having their mouth cleaned.

Overtime, your baby will grow to become more comfortable with these new sensations and you can gradually introduce a toothbrush. Just make sure it has soft bristles and is small enough for their tiny mouth. Over time, this will help your baby get used to brushing and make it a regular part of their daily routine.

Preschoolers

As your child approaches 2 or 3 years old, it’s a great time to start teaching them how to brush their own teeth with your guidance. To prevent cavities and tooth decay, children should brush twice a day using a soft bristle toothbrush and the appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste.

They might be excited to try brushing on their own, which is fantastic! Just remember, their motor skills are still developing so they might need a little help to make sure all areas are cleaned properly. Choose a toothbrush with a small head and a handle that fits their tiny hands. Soft bristles are best to be gentle on their gums while still cleaning their teeth.

For toothpaste, use only a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste—about the size of a grain of rice—for kids under 3. This amount is enough to clean their teeth and minimises the risk of them swallowing too much fluoride. As they get older, around age 3 and up, you can switch to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

Most kids start brushing their teeth well on their own by age 6 but it’s still helpful to keep an eye on them to ensure they’re brushing thoroughly. You might find it encouraging to brush your own teeth alongside them as a good example. Make brushing fun with catchy songs or stories and let them use a mirror to see their progress. This can make the routine more enjoyable and help them improve their brushing skills.

School-Aged Children

For school-aged kids, it's important to make brushing a regular part of their daily routine. They should brush their teeth twice a day for a full two minutes each time. To make brushing more engaging, consider using toothbrushes with built-in timers or fun designs that catch their interest.

A pea-sized amount of toothpaste is ideal for kids. Ensure they use the correct brushing technique: a gentle, circular motion to clean all surfaces of their teeth and gums. Also, remember to replace their toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles become frayed. This helps ensure they always have an effective tool for maintaining their oral health.

Flossing

Young kids with just a few teeth often have gaps between them, so flossing isn’t necessary at that stage. However, once your child’s teeth start touching each other, usually around ages 2 to 3, it's time to add flossing to their oral care routine.

Here’s how to help: Take a piece of dental floss and wrap it around your fingers, leaving a small section between them to work with. Gently guide the floss between your child’s teeth, being careful not to snap or force it, as their gums can be sensitive. Move the floss up and down along each side of the tooth to clean the surfaces and remove plaque buildup. Make sure to gently slide the floss just under the gum line to get rid of any debris that might be stuck there.

Flossing helps prevent cavities and gum disease by cleaning areas that a toothbrush can’t reach. It might take some time for your child to get used to the sensation, so be patient and make it a positive experience. As they grow and develop better coordination, they may start to handle flossing on their own, but until then, your guidance is crucial to ensure they’re getting the full benefits of this important dental habit.

Tongue Scraping

Did you know that tongue scraping is a key part of dental care for kids too? It helps keep their mouth fresh by getting rid of bacteria and freshening their breath. You can either utilise a toothbrush or a tongue scraper. Just place it at the back of their tongue and gently brush forward and backward.

Routine Dental Check-ups

Regular dental check-ups are really important for keeping your child’s teeth and gums in great shape. Aim to schedule a visit every six months. This way, any issues can be spotted early, and your child's dental health stays on track.

During these visits, the dentist will check your child’s teeth and gums for any signs of problems like decay or gum disease. They’ll also give their teeth a thorough cleaning to remove any plaque and tartar that brushing alone might miss. Plus, it’s a chance for the dentist to offer helpful tips on brushing and flossing, tailored just for your child!

Healthy Eating

Encouraging your child to eat a balanced diet is key to keeping their teeth and gums healthy. Focus on providing plenty of fruits and veggies, which are packed with vitamins and minerals that support strong teeth and healthy gums. Foods like apples, carrots, and leafy greens are especially good because they help clean teeth naturally and boost saliva production, which rinses away food particles and neutralizes acids.

Limit sugary snacks and drinks, as sugars feed the bacteria in their mouth, which produce acids that can cause cavities. Instead, offer healthier snacks like yogurt, nuts, or whole-grain options.

Most importantly, make sure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day. Water helps keep their mouth hydrated and washes away food particles, which reduces the risk of cavities.

To wrap it up, using these tips will help your child develop good dental habits that can last a lifetime. With regular care, routine dental visits, and a healthy diet, you’ll be setting them up for a bright, healthy smile!

Ensuring they practice good dental hygiene not only protects their permanent teeth but also sets the foundation for lifelong healthy habits.

Is your child due for a dental check-up? Just send us a message here and we’ll be happy to help you schedule an appointment!

References

1. Karimi M. The Proper Toothpaste for Children. J Dental Sci 2018, 3(3): 000195.
2. Hughes, C. V., & Dean, J. A. (2015). Mechanical and chemotherapeutic home oral hygiene. McDonald and Avery’s Dentistry for the Child and Adolescent, 120-137.