Brushing your kids’s teeth is essential for good oral health but it comes with its own challenges. As a parent, it is important to inculcate good oral hygiene habits in kids right from a young age. Brushing twice daily helps prevent or halt the progression of oral problems like tooth decay and gum disease. But should you use toothpaste to brush your teeth? If yes, then which is the best toothpaste for kids? The specialists offering dental practice in El Centro are available to solve your queries.
To learn more about the right age to use a toothpaste and the best ones available, keep scrolling!
The right age to use toothpaste
Initially, you may begin cleaning your baby’s mouth from birth by simply wiping a wet cotton ball or gauze. You must start brushing their teeth as soon as their first tooth erupts. Use a small-headed, soft-bristled toothbrush that can easily fit inside your baby’s mouth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using a tiny smear of toothpaste about the size of a rice grain.
Quantity matters
Using the correct amount of toothpaste will ensure your kid’s smile is protected from tooth decay. Here are the guidelines when it comes to using a toothpaste for kids:
- Kids birth to age 3: Use a tiny smear (about the size of a rice grain)
- Kids ages 3 and up: Use a pea-sized amount
According to the ADA, babies and kids should have their teeth brushed twice a day with toothpaste. Parents are recommended to brush their baby’s teeth until they are able to do so. Pre-schoolers should begin to brush their teeth on their own, and parents are expected to supervise them until they develop a good brushing technique.
The best toothpaste for kids
The ADA recommends using fluoridated toothpaste for kids until they reach their teenage years. Fluoride, in the correct dose, is absolutely safe for babies. It helps strengthen the tooth enamel and protect it from cavity-causing bacteria, and acids found in the plaque.
| Note: Excess fluoride may do more harm than good. It can develop fluorosis in your kids leading to white, or yellowish-brown tooth discoloration. |
Bottom line
Brushing the teeth is the most crucial aspect of maintaining good oral health especially in kids having unhealthy eating habits. Remember to brush their teeth twice a day with a mild fluoridated toothpaste using it in the size of a rice grain and gradually increase it to pea-size. Practicing good oral hygiene habits will help your kids in the long run in maintaining optimal oral health.