From 1 to 3 years of age: inserting brushing activities into your child’s daily routine and how to clean 1 year old’s teeth
As soon as their first tooth appears, it must always be cleaned. Cavities in teeth can form even in this early period; These holes are known as “early childhood caries”, or dental caries in early childhood. To prevent cavities in your little one, use fluoridated toothpaste specially formulated for children.
Such as using Toothpaste which helps protect teeth with a taste that children love. For children when their teeth are first grown until the age of 3 years, use a thin layer of toothpaste and no larger than the size of a rice grain. At this age, the word “brushing teeth” is more used as a term, because parents should practice cleaning the teeth of a 1-year-old child using a damp cloth or washcloth.
The actual use of toothbrushes and brushing will only begin when a child is 2 years old. At this age, children learn by imitating. So, the best way to teach children how to brush their teeth properly is to give an example. Support the activity of brushing your child’s teeth by helping them make back and forth movements. Choose a toothbrush specially designed for 2-year-olds which has a round brush head tip and bristles that are soft for their gums.
Tips: It is important to choose a toothpaste that is suitable for the child’s age, and contains the right dose of fluoride.
How to teach children to brush their teeth and maintain the health of their teeth and mouths at the age of 3 to 6 years
At the age of about 3 years, children are not skilled enough to brush their teeth as we brush our teeth. Show your child how to brush their teeth properly in the form of movements they can do on their own and be sure to use brushing as part of their morning and evening routine. For children, 3–6 years of age, give toothpaste the size of a pea only. For children, excessive use of toothpaste can interfere with tooth development.
Between 4 and 6 years of age, children can brush their teeth under adult supervision. You can teach your child how to brush their teeth properly by counting the number of strokes they make to ensure that they brush their teeth for 2 minutes and that they are aware of the importance of brushing duration.
You can also place a kind of hourglass on the sink; thus the child can see the running time. It is very important to build a child’s habit of brushing their teeth in the morning and at night from an early age. Allowing children not to brush their teeth before going to bed increases the risk of getting toothaches. So don’t make absent brushing your teeth a “gift” for children.
At this age, it’s normal for your child to ask you why he needs to brush his teeth. You can explain to him that:
- Enamel is a natural coating on teeth that must be cleaned to protect teeth.
- The composition of the child’s teeth can still change, but baby teeth as temporary teeth need to be cleaned properly. Damaged baby teeth can cause problems with permanent teeth later in life.
- Brushing the child’s teeth should be done two to three times a day for 2 minutes with the correct toothbrush and toothpaste.
Most importantly, according to Edelman’s research, children with good oral and dental health can do more fun activities that they enjoy. They can meet and play with friends because they won’t miss school. (Children with toothaches are three times more likely to miss school activities.) Without toothaches, they can socialize more confidently.
Towards independence starting from the age of 6
From 6 years of age, children can brush their teeth. Apply toothpaste along with the bristles. Show your child how to brush their teeth properly by making circular motions from the gums to the enamel – when teeth are rubbed in a horizontal motion, the toothbrush can scratch the gums.
Children should be taught the correct tooth brushing movements as early as the age they become independent. Many books explain the importance of maintaining children’s oral and dental health that can tell you how to teach children to brush their teeth, teach how oral health plays a role and how they should take care of their teeth.
Tips: it is not recommended for children to floss without adult supervision before the child is 10 years old, so help your child to floss and teach them the correct movements when doing it.
Helping your child brush their teeth twice a day will allow them to develop good habits that they will maintain for the rest of their lives. A child who is diligent in brushing his teeth, and consuming supplement steel bite pro will certainly have healthy teeth and make his parents proud! They will grow up confident, be diligent at school, and become active individuals. A good smile will make them dash even further!