11 Useful Tips On Brushing A Toddler’s Teeth

Brushing a toddler’s teeth can be quite a challenge. From convincing them to open their mouth to getting them to spit out the toothpaste and not swallow it, it can be a daunting task. Additionally, getting them to follow you to where you will brush their teeth can be quite a struggle.

Toddlers are at a stage in their lives where they want to do things for themselves, and it can be challenging to convince them to let you help, especially when you know they cannot do it properly on their own.

This article provides helpful tips to make brushing your toddler’s teeth easier. By adopting these tips, you can ensure that your toddler has good oral hygiene and a healthy smile.

When You Can Start Brushing Your Toddler’s Teeth?

From the age of 6 months and above, your little one will begin to grow teeth, which can occur as early as 4 months or as late as a year.

By the time your baby reaches 3 years old, they should have about 20 teeth. Generally, teeth tend to grow in a specific order, starting with the lower incisors, followed by the upper incisors, and then the rest of the mouth.

It’s recommended to begin brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as they start to grow, as long as they are cooperative. By the age of 2, your toddler can start learning how to brush their teeth on their own with your guidance.

What Helpful Tips Can I Employ To Brush My Toddler?

Here are ten helpful tips you can try to get your toddler to allow you to brush his or her teeth.

1. Stay in a comfortable position

First, you want to be comfortable handling all the drama that will accompany this process. Whether you are sitting or standing, it will be more rewarding to stay at their back. Then tilt their head backward to brush. Staying at their back also gives him the feeling that he is safe. 

You can also try sitting your baby on your knee with their head against your chest. 

2. Play while at it

Toddlers love to play so you have to use their weakness against them or in this case, use their weakness for their good.

Try singing some rhymes and demonstrating while brushing. Sing a song or rhyme that goes with brushing and even when he or she attempts to join you to sing, don’t stop them. Just try to maneuver your way around their teeth. 

3. Buy a fun toothbrush

Toddlers love beautiful things and flashy colors. There are children’s toothbrushes that have fun designs and different colors. you will find some with cartoon designs. Go for those to make them feel they are playing with toys.

4. Use only small soft toothbrushes meant for toddlers. 

If possible, take your child to the store so they can pick it up themselves. Getting them involved can make them more interested in brushing their teeth.

5. Be patient

Getting a toddler to stay at a spot is never an easy thing not to talk of brushing. If on the first attempt, you achieved nothing except running after them from one angle to another, don’t give up. 

If they clench their teeth and refuse to open, try again another time. They might tend to scream, ignore it, and let them do it at their own pace.

6. Talk to your child

You are not on the battlefield. try having a conversation with your child and convince them of the advantages of brushing their teeth. Talk to them about the dangers of not brushing. this may get them to relax and comply.

7. Do it every day

Consistency is very important. Try to make it a part of their daily activities so at some point they get used to it and know that this is what they should be doing daily. 

8. Allow them to try.

You can start the process and let them finish up. it gives them a sense of independence.

9. Be an example

Brush your teeth while they are looking. Toddlers love to mimic actions and seeing you doing it might make them want to try it as well.

10. Don’t spend so much time

You don’t have to spend all day brushing or too long brushing. Little bits of touching everywhere can give you an effective result.

11. Try rewarding your baby

Toddlers get motivated to try to impress anyone who has some sort of reward for them. So try to reward your baby. You can offer them their favorite snack or food or get them something they have always wanted.

How Do I Brush My Toddler’s Teeth?

As a baby’s teeth begin to grow, it is recommended to use only water to brush their teeth until they are a year and six months old. After that age, you can use a small amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush.

To properly brush their teeth, considering their constant movements, hold onto their chin and let their head rest against your body to avoid discomfort or neck injury. Gently move the toothbrush across their teeth, brushing in and out and then gently moving to their tongue. Turn their head upright and encourage them to spit out the toothpaste. If you use fluoride toothpaste, there is no need to rinse their mouth as fluoride helps protect their teeth.

It is best to continue brushing your child’s teeth until they are around 7 years old or until they can brush effectively to avoid tooth decay. At this point, they should have developed enough dexterity to brush their teeth on their own.

How To Care For Your Baby’s Toothbrush?

Taking care of your baby’s toothbrush is just as crucial as brushing their teeth. Whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, both require proper care.

After brushing, thoroughly rinse the toothbrush to remove all traces of toothpaste and then place it in a safe, upright position to air dry.

Avoid allowing your toddler’s toothbrush to come into contact with other toothbrushes. Do not let anyone else use your child’s toothbrush, and do not use your toothbrush on your toddler, even if you think it’s clean. Sharing a toothbrush is never recommended, especially when it comes to your little one.

Be sure to replace your baby’s toothbrush once the bristles become rough or every 3 to 4 months. This helps to ensure that their teeth are being cleaned properly.

What Kind Of Toothpaste Is Best For My Baby?

Once your baby reaches 1 year and 6 months old and you want to start using toothpaste, choose a toothpaste containing fluoride.

Fluoride is good for your baby because it is a mineral that helps to keep their teeth strong and reduces the chances of tooth decay. However, you should only use a small amount of toothpaste when brushing your baby’s teeth.

Brushing alone is not enough to prevent tooth decay. It is important to ensure that your baby eats healthy, nutritious meals that are low in sugar. Encourage your baby to eat fruits and vegetables instead of sugary snacks and drinks. A balanced diet will help to keep your baby’s teeth healthy and strong.

Does Sugar Cause Tooth Decay?

Consuming a lot of sugar can cause tooth decay in babies. If your baby regularly eats junk food and drinks sugary beverages, they are more likely to develop tooth decay, particularly if they sip on these drinks for long periods. Sipping sugary drinks exposes their teeth to sugar for a prolonged time and can cause damage. Even sucking on lollipops can have the same effect on their teeth.

Acidic drinks and squash can also be harmful to your toddler’s teeth. The acidic content in fruit juice and squash can cause damage to their teeth. However, the good news is that natural sugars found in whole fruits and milk are safe for your baby’s teeth.

How To Control Your Toddler’s Sugar Intake

Since sugar is an enemy of your toddler’s healthy teeth, there are steps you should take to control the consumption of sugar by your baby. 

To avoid tooth decay,  here are some things you can do to achieve this.

1. Cut down on sugar-sweetened drinks

Even when manufacturers say a drink is sugar-free, they still add some artificial sweeteners. It is best if your baby avoids consuming sugary drinks or at least cuts it down to a very minimum.

You can replace sweets with plain milk and water. Encourage your baby to drink enough water. 

2. No sipping from bottles

Sipping sugary drinks from bottles makes it worse on your baby’s teeth because it goes directly to their teeth. When your baby can drink from a cup, you can use a cup for their drinks.

3. Avoid too much junk food for your baby

It is important to feed your baby more savory foods and drinks with no added sugar. Always check the label of your toddler’s food to know its contents so you can avoid unhealthy options and opt for healthier ones.

Certain foods can protect your baby’s teeth from decay and make them strong and naturally clean. Junk foods, on the other hand, only linger on the teeth and feed the bacteria in your baby’s mouth that are known to cause tooth decay.

Some of the healthy foods you can feed your baby include unprocessed fruits and vegetables like carrots, apples, and celery which help to cleanse the teeth. As your baby chews on these foods, saliva is produced, which in turn removes bacteria that could harm their teeth or cause tooth decay.

The saliva that is produced also washes away lingering food particles that stick to teeth, and promotes saliva production, which helps to wash away bacteria that adhere to the teeth. Additionally, the high water content in many fruits and vegetables provides additional cleaning benefits.

Raw fruits and vegetables high in water content, as well as fiber and/or other nutrients:

• Melons

• Cucumbers

• Celery

• Apples

• Pears

Is A Pacifier Good For My Toddler’s Teeth?

Dummy or pacifier is good until your baby is one year old. At one year old, using a dummy can cause an open bite. This means that your baby’s teeth will move to make space for the pacifier. Pacifiers can affect your baby’s speech development.  

Sadly, dummies can be bad for your baby’s oral health. According to the American Dental Association, pacifiers or dummies and thumb sucking can be a problem for your toddler as it can affect the proper alignment of the teeth and growth of the mouth generally. It can lead to changes in the roof of your toddler’s mouth. 

How vigorously your toddler sucks can also contribute to dental challenges in your baby. A toddler who sucks with less energy has little chance of having an oral health challenge. It’s your responsibility to monitor how your baby uses their pacifier and encourage them to use it properly. 

You mustn’t buy a dummy that isn’t one piece or has parts that can be detached or a liquid part. Always clean your baby’s pacifier and avoid dipping it in sweet liquids

If your toddler tries to talk when they are sucking on their thumb or pacifier, please dissuade them from doing so. Also, avoid dipping their pacifier in sugary drinks or any sweet thing.

When To See A Dentist 

It is important to take your toddler to the dentist for regular check-ups, regardless of whether you see any signs of tooth decay or not. This can help prevent any unforeseen dental problems.

You can take your baby for their first dental visit when they turn one year old or when they start teething, whichever comes first.

Consult with your dentist to determine how often your baby should have a dental check-up. If any issues arise with your toddler’s teeth, you may also want to consider seeing a dental therapist, dental hygienist, or oral health specialist for further evaluation and treatment.