When Do You Start Brushing Babies’ Teeth?

Logic tells us that you start brushing your teeth when the first teeth become visible. But many recommend cleaning the gums beforehand. Then learn more about this topic. 
When do you start brushing your baby's teeth?

When do you start brushing babies’  teeth  and how is oral hygiene carried out? This is the question every mother has to ask herself, so we’re going to cover it up in today’s article.

Logic tells us that you start  brushing your teeth  when the first teeth become visible. But many recommend cleaning  the gums beforehand. Then learn more about this topic. 

The recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry  is that only a very small amount of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) be used initially, which should contain fluorine to strengthen tooth enamel and make it resistant to tooth decay.

Brushing teeth in babies

Brushing teeth in babies

Remember, however, that fluorine can be dangerous to babies if they swallow the product in large quantities. So keep the toothpaste in a safe place. Too much fluorine could also cause dental fluorosis, which causes discoloration of the teeth.

Between the ages of 12 and 18 months, you can start with a special baby toothbrush, which should be small and gentle. Your baby can already try to brush its teeth with your help.
Do not leave it alone, however, because its coordination is not yet good enough to carry out all movements correctly and to clean its teeth all by itself.  But it is good to get used to this daily habit. 
There are also various toothbrushes that you can put on your finger that make brushing your teeth easier.  The bristles should definitely be flexible and soft. In the baby’s first months of life, it can simply be used to gently brush the gums with water.

Brush your teeth when the child is older

Brush your teeth when the child is older

From the age of 2 you can start with a very small amount of toothpaste. You can use a fluorine-free product initially, as the child could accidentally swallow the pasta. 

There are special toothpastes for small children, some made from completely natural ingredients and without fluorine. Be sure to read the product description to make sure the pasta is suitable for your child.

Setting an example is very important,  so it is good if your child sees you brushing their teeth regularly and that this is part of their daily routine. It will then want to imitate you.

From the age of 3  , your child can brush their teeth by themselves and they no longer swallow the pasta. You can then give him a little more on the toothbrush and buy age-appropriate products.

Once all of the teeth are in place, you can also show your child how to floss. Don’t forget to have regular check-ups at the dentist,  who can also give you detailed advice.

A quick visit to the dentist is also important if problems arise, for example with bleeding gums or tooth decay.

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