Are you a parent wondering how to cope with brushing your kid’s teeth?
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is crucial for children’s overall health and confidence. As parents, knowing how often your child should brush their teeth can help prevent some problems, like:
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Infections
- Diverse oral health problems that might stem from cavities, such as impaired eating and speaking
In this article, we will explore more about the best brushing practices for kids, such as how many times children need to brush their teeth daily, the differences between brushing once, twice, or three times a day, and practical tips to encourage good dental habits for life.
Why should children brush their teeth?
When you brush your children’s teeth, you remove plaque. Plaque includes a sticky, bacteria-filled film and food particles that accumulate throughout the day. If plaque is not removed daily, it causes tooth decay (also known as cavities), gum inflammation, and bad breath.
Children are especially prone to cavities because they snack frequently and consume sugary drinks. An early brushing routine protects teeth as they grow and develop.
How often should children brush? The professional recommendation
Main dental organizations recommend that children brush their teeth twice daily: once in the morning, and once before bedtime.
But why? Let’s find out the difference between brushing once, twice, and three times a day.
What about brushing once a day?
Brushing once a day is definitely better than no brushing at all. However, it’s not enough if you want to provide optimum oral hygiene for your kids. One daily brushing session can leave plaque on teeth for too long, potentially resulting in cavities and gum problems. As a parent, you can assist your children in brushing twice daily to most effectively prevent these problems.
Is brushing three times a day better?
Three daily brushings (after meals) are routinely recommended for children with a higher need. Higher dental needs include children with:
- Dental restorations, such as fillings or crowns
- Braces
- History of cavities
Three daily brushings can also reduce tooth decay risk and improve overall oral health, especially in teenagers and children at high risk for dental problems.
However, if your kid needs to brush three times a day, you’ll want to do it with care to avoid damaging the tooth enamel. For example, after having acidic foods and drinks, you need to wait for about 30 minutes after the meal to brush. In this case, brushing immediately after eating wears away enamel.
Consider using a soft-bristle toothbrush and brushing gently to protect your kid’s enamel and teeth.
Is two the perfect number for brushing?
For most children, twice daily is sufficient and ideal. Two times a day is the minimum routine for brushing away food debris and plaque buildup and maintaining healthy gums and teeth:
- The morning brush clears bacteria and food debris from breakfast
- The night brushing washes the teeth after dinner and evening snacks
This twice-a-day routine prevents overnight plaque buildup and tooth decay. This frequency is also a balance between being strong enough to break down damaging buildup without wearing away tooth enamel, especially when brushing with good technique and timing. If your kid brushes their teeth twice a day, it might significantly reduce the risk of getting cavities, gum disease, and other dental complications.
Other considerations
Although it can be time-consuming, it helps to stay consistent with your child’s brushing routine. Kids need gentle reminders and your example to start doing it on their own. Additionally, consider the technique, time, and the age of your kid.
Brushing time and technique are as crucial as frequency
Two factors to take into consideration when brushing are the duration and method, as they can make a significant difference. Children must:
- Brush for at least two minutes per session to get all the tooth surfaces properly cleaned.
- Use a child-sized toothbrush with soft bristles suitable for children’s smaller mouths.
- Gently brush in circles on the fronts, backs, and chewing surfaces of all the teeth.
- Use an adequate amount of toothpaste.
- Young children require supervision to be capable of brushing effectively and not swallowing toothpaste.
As a parent, you need to be present in creating a twice-a-day routine for your kids, ensuring their teeth are properly brushed, and helping them have a good time while doing so.
Age-specific recommendations
Here are some recommendations for different age gaps.
- Infants (6-12 months): Wipe gums with a soft cloth and brush teeth once a day as soon as the first tooth erupts.
- Toddlers (1-2 years): Begin twice a day brushing with a small smear of toothpaste.
- Preschoolers (3-5 years): Brush twice a day and promote independence, still assisting as needed.
- School-Age Children (6-12 years): Twice a day brushing to continue. Provide parental supervision to ensure a good technique.
- Adolescents (13+ years): Brush twice a day on their own; more frequent brushing should be encouraged for orthodontic care.
As you can see, as soon as a new tooth erupts, you need to start a routine with your kid for brushing twice a day.
Achieve optimum oral health for your children and for you
To achieve optimum oral health, children should brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, with fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. So, remember:
- Brushing once a day is not enough.
- While brushing three times a day can have additional benefits (especially for high-risk children), you should try to avoid eroding the enamel by brushing softly.
- Avoid brushing immediately after a meal, especially after consuming acidic foods.
- Two times a day is usually the perfect number: create a routine for your children to care for their teeth.
Parents play a significant role in encouraging healthy habits. These habits set the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles. You play a vital role in maintaining your child’s healthy smile.
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