How should a childs teeth be brushed?
You should follow the same approach that you would take when brushing your own teeth. It often helps to stand behind your child and tilt his or her head back. • Start by cleaning the chewing surfaces with a soft-bristled children’s toothbrush, using short back-and-forth strokes • For the outer tooth surfaces, place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline • Move the brush back and forth in short, gentle strokes • To clean the inner front tooth surfaces, hold the brush vertically and use gentle up-and-down strokes with the tip of the brush • Make sure the gumline and back teeth are cleaned thoroughly. Replace your child’s toothbrush when it begins to show wear, or every three months, whichever comes first • By age three or four, your child should be able to brush his or her own teeth – with your help, of course. To make it easier, start your child off with a simple brushing technique, for example, a small, circular brushing motion.
