Tooth Brushing Tips for Kids

A young girl brushing her teeth with an electric toothbrush as she's standing in front of a rainbow illustration.

Just 4 minutes a day will establish a healthy skill that your children will benefit from for the rest of their lives! Be sure to begin brushing your child’s teeth as soon as their teeth first start to come in.

Let’s talk about some fun facts and helpful advice in pediatric dental care, particularly toothbrushing, and where you can go in Zelienople and Greater Pittsburgh to see a dentist who can take care of the whole family.

Basic Brushing Tips

How to make the toothbrushing routine a priority, and how to stick to it:

  • WHO? You will have to continue to help brush your little one’s teeth up until the age of 7-8 to be sure your child is getting those hard-to-reach places: Children do not have the dexterity before that age to brush all of the nooks and crannies on their own. Feel free to let them be independent and brush their own teeth first, then you go over them afterward to ensure every surface has been brushed.
  • HOW? Be sure to brush the child’s gum line, as well as every surface of the teeth at a 45-degree angle in a circular motion. If you are using a manual toothbrush, you will need to consciously brush using this circular motion; if you are using an electric toothbrush, it will automatically brush in a circular motion for you. For a quick video on how exactly to brush your child’s teeth, click here and start at 1:11.
  • HOW OFTEN? Brush 2 times a day: The most important time is at night, as one of the last things your children do before bed to prevent destructive bacteria from forming during the long period of time sleeping.

  • HOW LONG? Brush for 2 minutes: Set a timer while you listen to your child’s favorite song – make it fun!
  • WITH WHAT? It is highly recommended that you use an Oral-B Electric Toothbrush. They have a rotating head and do most of the work for your little one! Many independent studies have found that electric toothbrushes are far more effective than regular manual toothbrushes.

  • WHEN TO CHANGE THE TOOTHBRUSH? Change your soft-bristled toothbrush or toothbrush head every 3 months. Bristles break down after 3 months and are less effective when they do.

  • HOW TO REWARD MY CHILD? Like any good habit, we as parents want to encourage, and use motivation. Reward good toothbrushing by starting a sticker chart with incentives, or by simply being excited with positive reinforcement and empowering them!

How Much Toothpaste Should My Child Use When Brushing?

Oftentimes, our young patients use too much toothpaste.

UNDER AGE 3: For children who are under the age of 3, it is recommended to only use a grain size of non-fluoridated toothpaste. Younger children tend to swallow a bit while brushing, and it is not good to swallow more than a scant amount of fluoride.

OVER AGE 3: After turning 3 years old, use no more than a small pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste that has the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal of Acceptance on the box.

Are Fluoride Treatments Necessary?

Fluoride toothpaste that is used at home (after turning age 3), along with in-office fluoride Varnish treatments applied by a dental hygienist during your child’s professional cleaning every 6 months, will help to:

  • Fight cavities
  • Protect teeth
  • Rebuild enamel lost from sugar and bacteria forming acid, which will eat away at teeth over time

Do Sealants Provide Even More Protection?

Family dentists typically recommend to parents that they have sealants applied to their child’s teeth in order to further protect the teeth from cavities in the deeper grooves. A dental hygienist will brush a clear protective coating onto the chewing surfaces of their back adult teeth, and then use a curing light to harden the material.

Sealants usually last a year or more. At future cleaning appointments, your child’s dental hygienist will determine whether the sealants need to be reapplied to continue providing protection.

If you’re an adult and you’re interested in sealants for yourself, talk to your dentist about whether it would be a good option for you.

Entertaining Songs/Videos to Encourage Toothbrushing

If your child enjoys music and videos, enjoy watching these together:

Family and Pediatric Dentistry in Zelienople, PA

If you are looking for a dentist in the Pittsburgh area who will provide quality, comfortable dental visits, contact Marion Smile Center today! Dr. Mark Marion and his team are known for providing exceptional dental care for patients of all ages.

To learn more about family or pediatric dentistry in the Zelienople–Harmony area, call Marion Smile Center today at (724) 452-4300 or fill out our appointment request form here. We look forward to being your family dentist!