When a baby's first tooth appears, parents' daily routine of caring for their child gradually changes. The time has come for them to protect themselves from a baby toothbrushTo do this, you need to choose a suitable toothpaste and apply one or more specific brushing methods.
In the following lines, we reveal all our tips and tricks for brushing toddlers' teeth.
When should I start using a baby toothbrush?
A baby toothbrush can be used as soon as the first baby tooth appears, when the child is about six months old. The baby's first toothbrush helps to care for his or her first teeth.
It is recommended that baby's first teeth be brushed at bath time. This allows the introduction of oral hygiene practices, which will then become an integral part of the daily care given to the baby.
Which first toothbrush for baby?
You can't choose any toothbrush for your baby depending on his age. You must choose a targeted type of material to take care of his teeth.
The baby is less than a year old
If the baby is less than one year old, brushing is done with a wet compress or a small soft rubber or silicone toothbrush that fits over the parents' finger.
Either of these materials helps children learn to brush their teeth and become familiar with oral hygiene. They also help to massage the gums during baby's dreaded teething episodes.
The baby is more than one year old
From the age of one, your baby can start brushing with a "classic" toothbrush with soft bristles. These small, soft-bristled toothbrushes are suitable for young children and can be found in pharmacies and department stores.
These toothbrushes have a small head that can fit into the less accessible areas of your child's mouth. Thanks to these baby toothbrushes, your child does not risk injuring his gums. Indeed, these last ones can start to bleed if the material used is not in conformity.
Note that the toothbrush must be replaced regularly, that is to say as soon as you notice that the bristles wear out and lose their original shape.
Note that from a certain age, your child can use an electric toothbrush.
How to take care of baby's teeth?
In addition to brushing your baby's teeth, it is recommended that you clean his gums and the inside of his mouth with a clean, damp cloth reserved for this purpose.
In addition, in order to reduce the transmission of bacteria in baby's mouth, it is important to pay attention to the following:
- Newborns should avoid putting dirty objects in their mouths,
- The parent should avoid kissing the child on the mouth,
- The baby should eat with his own spoon,
- Baby's toothbrush should be air dried, head up.
Teething sets for babies: what's the point?
If your child is very young and has few or no teeth yet, you can also turn to a baby teething set. This type of product includes a silicone finger pad (useful for massaging the gums of the little one) and two soft and ergonomic baby toothbrushes.
However, baby teething sets are not recommended for children over 24 months or children who already have several teeth.
After a certain age it is therefore advisable to turn to a special children's toothbrush.
Some tips to help baby learn
Even if your baby is still very small, as time goes by, he will want to brush his teeth on his own, like a big boy! Even so, children are not able to clean their teeth effectively until they are 6 years old. So you need to guide and help your child learn.
To do so, please feel free to :
- Let your toddler handle the toothbrush on his own,
- You direct towards a model of toothbrush with cheerful colors,
- Educate your child about brushing through stories, books and songs.
More than the choice of a toothbrush, good oral hygiene for baby requires progressive learning, respect for several health principles and the establishment of a routine that must be a pleasant moment of sharing between parent and child.
