Gaining the habit of Tooth Brushing

Create Online Appointment

Plan Your Appointment Now

Ask Your Questions
to Our Doctors

Have Your Questions Answered by Our Doctors ASK QUESTION

Another common complaint I hear from the parents as a pedodontist is that children do not brush their teeth sufficiently. The easiest and best method for gaining this habit is to begin tooth brushing in early ages. As pediatric dentists, we advise parents to clean the teeth of their children as soon as their first teeth come out. You may begin cleaning the teeth with soft fibered baby brushes specially produced for babies when the first milk teeth come out. First trials may be unsuccessful, but it will become a habit that your children will like to have.

Especially in times in which milk teeth just began to erupt, regular brushing will have gingival massage effect and it will relieve your child, reducing teething pains. Of course, going to a dentist when the first teeth are seen in mouth and evaluation of these teeth by an expert will be a good approach for prevention of oral and dental problems of your baby.

Another common question is about use of tooth pastes. Babies usually like the taste of tooth pastes and swallow it during brushing. That is why it will be a better approach to avoid use of tooth pastes in children younger than 2,5-3. However, it is not proper to generalize all the children about this subject. Therefore, you should consult your pedodontist about using tooth pastes during tooth brushing. Do not forget that Fluorine tooth pastes which they may swallow may create problems in dental and general health.

A couple of advices for gaining tooth brushing habits;

Brush your own teeth with a separate tooth brush when your child does the same
Acquire several tooth brushes for your child. They should be in various colors and include cartoon characters. This will increase motivation.
Let him brush her/his teeth first, you brush his/her teeth after that.
Form a tooth brushing panel at home and sign it after each brushing.
Put a sandglass to bathroom and keep time while brushing the teeth. 2 minutes of brushing will be adequate.
Do not forget that your child does not have any knowledge about caries. Let him/her eat sugar, chocolate or biscuits and show how they stick to teeth in the mirror. Then brush the teeth, show him/her how clean, white and beautiful it looks.

Additionally, taking them to a pedodontist after first milk tooth eruption (6-9 months) will let you get detailed information. In later regular dentist controls, seeing dentists brushing the teeth or seeing other children who brush their teeth in clinic will increase motivation.

Do not forget that regular tooth brushing will play an important role in prevention of dental problems which may occur later.

Dr. Ahmet KİĞILI

Dişhekimi / Prostodonti ve Estetik Diş Hekimliği

1986 yılında başladığı Gazi Üniversitesi Diş hekimliği Fakültesinden 1992 yılında mezun oldu.

Profile Git

Oral-Dental Care for my baby

Treatments Other Related Articles

What are the substances used for treatment of tooth decay?

What are the substances used for treatment of tooth decay? Zinc involving substances which are usually used temporarily Calcium involving healing substances Silver, tin, zinc, gold involving tough substances Glass, aluminum, phosphate and artificial resin including substances that are usually used in aesthetic purposes Substances containing aluminum silicate glass particles used for various purposes Prepared […]

How is tooth decay treated?

How is tooth decay treated? Tooth decays occur in patients who do not have well oral care and due to bacterial plaque and food remnants. Carbohydrate dominant nutrition, saliva fluidity, familial factors and oral care are the factors in tooth decay formation. What could be done in order to prevent tooth decays? Teeth should be […]

Can tooth decays be prevented?

Can tooth decays be prevented? Brushing the teeth after the breakfast and before sleeping and use of dental floss every day is the most efficient way. Because of the fact that food remnants accumulate in the recessions in the masticator surfaces and interdental spaces, tooth brushes should be small headed. Inner surfaces of the teeth, […]

Who develop tooth decay more commonly?

Who develop tooth decay more commonly? Those who consume carbohydrate and sugary foods commonly are under higher risk of decay. Although the saliva creates a defense mechanism against the acid produced by the bacterial plaque, it cannot prevent decays on its own. Diseases that reduce the saliva flow and amount or drugs may fasten decay […]