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This means that parents should start good oral hygiene practices for their children when they are still babies.
How to keep teeth clean
At about 5 to 6 months your child's first primary teeth will start to come out (also known as "erupting"). Parents can clean these teeth using a folded gauze or cotton bud and gently rub the baby's gums and teeth. It is not advisable to use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush until your baby is at least 12 months old. At this stage using plain water to assist in the cleaning process is sufficient.
It is recommended that a toddler be slowly introduced to brushing by being allowed to chew on a baby brush. By allowing your child to watch and then "play copy" you or an older sibling is also a great way to teach them about brushing. This will help to familiarise them with the texture and presence of the fibers and introduce them to the oral hygiene routine.
Early independent cleaning and brushing
At approximately 2 years of age, your child's primary teeth should all have erupted and now need to be kept clean. Some more independent children can learn to start brushing their own teeth when they reach this age. However, as these young children still have difficulty with dexterity needed to properly brush their teeth it needs to be a joint effort between parents and kids for the time being.
As children learn well visually, it is a good idea to teach them to brush their own teeth in front of a mirror while you stand behind them. By assisting them to tilt their heads back slightly you will be able to demonstrate the correct brushing movements and techniques by holding their hands while they brush. Two minutes is all that is needed. It is important to remember to change your child’s toothbrush every three months or when the bristles appear frayed, as this will ensure the effective removal of plaque as well as the possibility of potentially hurting your child's gums.
The South African Orthodontic Society recommends the use of low-fluoride toothpastes that have been specially developed for children only after the age of two or three. It is important that parents teach their child to spit out and not swallow excess toothpaste after brushing.
Avoid the sugar rush
One of the key areas for early oral hygiene is the monitoring of your child's sugar intake and frequency in juices, fizzy coldrinks, sweets and food. Too much of any of these can be very harmful to the new teeth, and if not properly regulated lead to tooth decay. Tooth decay eventually leads to space loss and subsequent malocclusions.
To establish the annual dentist routine visit early on, it is recommended that young children be introduced into the dental environment from the ages of 3 years onwards, which will help them to form a healthy relationship with the oral care team.
Good healthy habits that are learnt and cemented early will lead to healthy gums and a bright smile.
- (Health24)
Source: South African Society of Orthodontists
