Toothbrushing – children 0-6 years

Baby teeth help children to eat and speak and guide the permanent adult teeth into position, so it is important to take care of them right from the start.

Regular toothbrushing helps to remove bacteria and plaque that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Brush teeth twice a day – in the morning and before going to bed at night.

Introduce toothbrushing early so that children know it as part of their daily routine. Children will need help and encouragement to develop this new skill over time.

Brush your baby’s teeth as soon as they appear

As soon as the first tooth appears (usually at around 6 months of age) brush gently with a soft children’s toothbrush and water (no toothpaste), or use a soft wet cloth to wipe over teeth and gums. Clean all surfaces of the teeth and gums twice a day: in the morning and before bed at night.

Making toothbrushing part of your child’s daily routine forms the healthy habit that can set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child

Choose a toothbrush that is designed for children. It should have a small head and soft bristles.

When choosing the right toothpaste, remember:

• for children 0–18 months of age – use only water, no toothpaste
• from 18 months until the child turns six years old – use a pea-sized amount of children’s toothpaste that contains fluoride (children’s toothpaste has a lower level of fluoride than standard toothpaste)
• from six years of age – use a pea-sized amount of standard fluoride toothpaste.

Tip: Fruit-flavoured toothpastes have become popular in recent years. Non-mint flavours are fine but always make sure toothpaste contains fluoride as this is the key ingredient that protects teeth against decay.

For children who do not have access to fluoridated water, or who have a greater risk of tooth decay for other reasons, ask your oral health professional about what kind of toothpaste is right for you.

A children’s electric toothbrush is a good alternative for some children aged over three years and can make brushing easier and more fun.

How to brush your child’s teeth

Young children are not able to brush their own teeth well enough so they need an adult to do it for them.

Start by finding a comfortable position. This could be with your child sitting on your lap facing away from you with their head resting against your body while you cup their chin with one hand.

• Brush the teeth and along the gum line to clean every tooth thoroughly (about two minutes is a good guide).
• Brush gently in small circles. Brush along the inside surfaces and the outside surfaces of teeth.
• Brush back and forth on the chewing surfaces of teeth.
• After brushing, ask your child to spit out the toothpaste, and not to rinse with water. The small amount of toothpaste remaining keeps protecting teeth.

If using an electric toothbrush, read the instructions before you begin. Guide the brush to your child’s teeth first, then switch it on. Move the head slowly from tooth to tooth, including brushing along the gum line (where the gum and tooth meet). Do not press too hard or scrub, let the brush do the work.

You may also want to start using products such as dental floss with your child to make cleaning between teeth a good habit from a young age. Ask your oral health professional for advice.

Teaching your child to brush their teeth

Encourage children to take part in toothbrushing as they get older. At around age two or three, help them develop the skill by letting them have a go first before you follow up to make sure all surfaces have been cleaned.

At around the age of eight years, children have developed the fine motor skills needed for tooth brushing. However, supervision is often needed past this age until you are sure they can do it well by themselves.

Tips for brushing children’s teeth

Not all children will enjoy toothbrushing at first, but eventually most come to understand it as something we do every day as part of keeping our bodies healthy.

Some tips to encourage toothbrushing are:

• Make it fun! Sing a song, tell a story, make silly noises, play a children’s toothbrushing video or app - anything that will make the time enjoyable.
• Children like to copy others, so ask other family members to show children how they brush.
• There are many dental-themed story books that can be used to help teach young children about brushing teeth.
• Try using two toothbrushes - one for them to hold and use and one for you to brush properly. Other children respond to ‘your turn, my turn’, where the child brushes first then the parent brushes.
• If your child doesn’t like the taste of toothpaste, try brushing without toothpaste first. Then use a small amount of children’s low fluoride toothpaste to get them used to the flavour. There are also toothpastes with fruity flavours or milder flavours that children may prefer.
• If you are not having any success in the bathroom, try another location in the house.
• For older children, try a reward system. For example, mark the number of times their teeth are cleaned twice a day on a calendar and offer a reward when they reach a goal.

Dental checks for children

Regular dental check-ups are important throughout life. It is recommended that children visit the dental clinic for a check-up by the time they turn one.

Older children should continue to have regular check-ups. Ask your oral health professional how often your child needs check-ups.

Where to get help

• Your dentist or other dental practitioner
• Oral Health Victoria provides public dental services through the Royal Dental Hospital Melbourne and community dental clinics for eligible people. For more information about public dental services call (03) 9341 1000, or 1800 833 039 outside Melbourne metro.
• Australian Dental Association ‘Find a Dentist’ or call (03) 8825 4600
• Your maternal and child health nurse