Little ones need their mommy or daddy when brushing their teeth

We typically get acquainted with healthy lifestyle habits at an early age, and learning how to brush our teeth correctly is certainly no exception. This is one of the many reasons parents must supervise their children every time they brush their teeth, until they are nearly six years old.

What to know about brushing your teeth

A British survey of 1,000 parents was conducted to learn the brushing habits of children. The scientists observed that one in five children under the age of five brushes their teeth without parental supervision. Moreover, a quarter of the parents wrongly believed that children do not need to brush their teeth twice a day. A third of the parents also believed that brushing for one minute was quite sufficient, even though experts actually recommend brushing for two to three minutes. In addition, nearly a quarter of the parents surveyed believed that they did not need to restrict the amount of soft drinks their children consume, and that, in spite of the fact that they have been linked to dental damage.

What to do to have beautiful teeth?

To keep our children’s teeth healthy, we should clean them twice a day, as soon as they erupt, using fluoride toothpaste and a small-headed brush with soft bristles. A tiny pea-size quantity of toothpaste is sufficient to clean their little teeth. It is important we brush using small, circular motions to make sure that all tooth surfaces are cleaned. As soon as children are able to write, they are also able to brush their teeth.

When should I change the toothbrush?

Because children do not spare them in the least, toothbrushes should be changed regularly. Dentists recommend we discard toothbrushes after three months of use. If the bristles are twisted or damaged, the brush will no longer clean properly, and it could even harm your child’s tender gums. Finally, children should learn never to swallow toothpaste. If you have any questions, your dentist can provide you with further guidelines to help you keep their little mouths happy and healthy! After all, good oral hygiene is part of our overall good health.