How to Clean Toddler's Teeth

It's always very important to keep a clean and healthy mouth no matter what age you are. Insure your toddler's oral care is excellent from the very moment they have teeth. Here's a how-to article on how to clean your toddler's teeth and to keep them healthy and strong.

Steps

1. Start in infancy. You should start gently wiping your baby's tooth when it first emerges with a soft, clean washcloth. Your child will get used to the feeling long before toddlerhood.
2. Use toddler tooth care products. Toddlers have smaller mouths than adults, and ideally should use toothbrushes designed for them. Use "training toothpaste" which does not contain fluoride in concentrations enough to cause harm if swallowed. Have him or her get excited about picking out a colorful toothbrush and a favorite flavor.
3. Floss. Remember to floss daily, so you can pick up plaque from your child's teeth and gums before it hardens.
4. Start brushing your toddler's teeth! Get the toothbrush with soft bristles and use a small pea-sized amount of the children's fluoride toothpaste. Clean both the outsides and insides of your toddler's teeth, also make sure to brush their tongue to get any hidden bacteria. Be sure to spend at least two minutes brushing; most people do not brush long enough. Clean your toddler's teeth at least twice a day.
5. Go to the dentist. Keep regular appointments, and be sure to ask questions.
6. Give your child drinking water that is fluoridated. Usually it will tell you on a water bottle if the water is fluoridated, but if your drinking water supply isn't fluoridated, you can talk to your toddler's physician or dentist about getting fluoride supplements.
7. Make sure your toddler is getting a well-balanced diet. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is good for dental care because it provides the vitamins and calcium to help maintain healthy teeth. Avoid too much refined sugar. Foods like apples can help reduce plaque buildup.

Tips

• Visit the dentist twice a year or as recommended.
• Use different toothpaste flavors or get a small mirror so they can see their own teeth while they're being cleaned.
• Sing a 2 minute long song while your child (or you) is brushing to be sure enough brushing occurs.
• Always supervise your toddler while brushing.
• Talk to your dentist about getting a fluoride mouth-rinse for your toddler.

Warnings

• Do not allow your toddler to fall asleep sucking on a bottle; this can cause "baby bottle rot" which may cause major damage of the teeth.
• Avoid soda (pop, soft drinks, bubbly drinks, etc.) as these drinks are particularly bad for teeth.
• Limit snacking and sugary foods. These combined with plaque can make acids that cause cavities.
• Don't over-do your toddler's fluoride intake---you want an ideal level. Using too much fluoride can cause fluoresces, white spots or patches on the tooth enamel.
• Be gentle when you brush your toddler's teeth! Heavy brushing can wear down the teeth and irritate the gums and hurt your child.

Related wikiHows

• How to Floss
• How to Brush Your Teeth
• How to Have Clean, White Teeth
• How to Develop Healthy Eating Habits
• How to Eat Healthy
• How to Soothe a Teething Baby
• How to Read a Book to a Baby or Infant

Sources and Citations

• http://www.babycentre.co.uk/toddler/caringfor/teeth/#4
• http://www.babycenter.com/0_tooth-care-for-toddlers_11282.bc

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Comments

[Phil]

My dentist has some more great tips for toddlers dental hygiene on his website, http://wildaboutsmiles4kids.com