When Should You Start Brushing Baby’s Teeth?

We all know the importance of brushing our teeth twice a day. But what about when it comes to our kids? Like millions of mothers before you, you might be wondering when you should start an oral care routine with your kids.

If their baby teeth are going to fall out one day, is there a need to brush them every day? The short answer? YES. Oral decay – cavities – is one of the most common illnesses in children, and poor oral health affects the entire body, not just the teeth.

So, when is the right time to start brushing your kids’ teeth? And are there any tricks to setting them on the path to lifelong oral health early? Let’s talk about it!

When to Start Brushing Kids’ Teeth

Children, even babies, can benefit from all the same oral hygiene practices that you practice for yourself. The ideal age to start brushing will vary with each child, but a good rule of thumb is to start when their teeth begin coming in, which is commonly around six months old. As soon as the first signs of teeth start poking through the gumline, it’s time to put a brushing routine into place twice per day. Make sure you’re cleaning their teeth after their last meal or snack (whether it be food or milk).

Although it may seem optional to brush baby teeth since they’ll eventually fall out, the opposite is true. Believe it or not, baby teeth can decay if they’re not taken care of properly once they pop through the gums. This is a major problem for little ones for a variety of reasons. First, it can impact how their adult teeth grow in down the road. Not only that, but tooth decay can impact their speech development as well. This just goes to show that dental hygiene is crucial to a person’s overall health and well-being – no matter their age.

If you have a newborn, you can even start practicing gum care on your baby before their teeth come in. Using a clean washcloth, gauze pad, or finger brush, gently wipe your baby’s gums and tongue. This can help get them used to teeth cleaning from a young age.

The same can be said for babies that are six months old but whose first tooth hasn’t come in yet. If you start brushing your kids’ teeth too late, it can become a daily battle. But if they grow accustomed to a routine early, brushing their teeth will eventually become second nature. Besides, there’s no better time to form healthy habits than now. Keep in mind – once their first teeth start to pop up, it’s time to switch to a children’s toothbrush.

If your kids have had their first teeth for a while but you haven’t started brushing them yet, don’t stress – what matters most is that you start now! It’s also a good idea to take them for their first dental checkup if they haven’t already been. Remember, introducing proper oral maintenance early will make for less resistance further down the road.

How Can I Get My Kids to Brush Their Teeth?

If you’re the mom of a toddler, your kids can start brushing their teeth on their own (with your supervision). But the question remains: How do you get them to start? For most kids, picking up a toothbrush twice a day is the last thing on their minds. It’s just doesn’t seem very fun. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to get them excited about taking care of their oral health.

1. Make brushing a family routine.
   

   When was the last time you brushed your teeth with your kids? If you haven’t, now is the perfect time to start. Children love to mirror others (especially their parents!). Leading by example is the key to getting your kids to stick to the daily habit. If you get everyone in on the tooth-brushing routine, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes a fun family affair. When everyone is involved, your kids will start seeing oral care as a fun activity instead of a chore.

2. Make it fun.

   It’s no secret that brushing your teeth can feel like going through the motions, which makes the twice-daily habit much harder to stick to for little ones. Here’s a secret: If you want to get young kids excited about dental hygiene, try letting them brush your teeth! Another great idea is to create a game out of it or let them practice brushing on one of their toys. The more fun they have getting introduced to the activity, the more likely they are to keep it up.

3. Reward them.

   When your child has been consistent with brushing their teeth, don’t forget to praise them! You can even create a reward system to take their excitement to the next level. One popular method (especially for toddlers) is to create a chart where they can place a sticker each time they brush their teeth. It will make them feel proud of themselves for doing a good job, and it’ll help you keep track of how often they’re brushing. Be sure to give them a prize at the end of the week or month for a job well done!

4. Use children’s toothpaste that tastes good.

   You can do everything in your power to make your kids’ morning and bedtime routine exciting, but if they don’t like the taste of their toothpaste, you’ll have yet another hurdle to get past. Adult toothpaste is often too strong for kids; the peppermint and spearmint flavors can be overpowering for their little mouths. But once you find a gentle toothpaste your kids enjoy, you’ll notice them looking forward to brushing each day.

How Long Should Kids Brush Their Teeth?

Children are notorious for avoiding brushing – even if you’ve involved the family and implemented a reward system, it’s still a task that takes them away from doing other fun activities. If you have young kids, you know it’s not uncommon for them to do a quick 30-second brush and call it a day (or even skip over it entirely!). So, how long is long enough?

According to the American Dental Association, kids should brush their teeth for two minutes, twice per day. Brushing for less than two minutes can result in bacteria remaining on the teeth, causing plaque buildup. Plaque is a soft film that hardens over their teeth, which can lead to tooth decay or even tooth loss over time. Fortunately, this is easily avoidable when you keep up with a regular, healthy routine!

Is It Safe to Swallow Toothpaste?

As a mom, you know babies and toddlers will put almost anything in their mouth (and you better believe they’ll swallow it too!). Unfortunately, most conventional toothpaste contains fluoride, as well as other toxins. Toxic ingredients are dangerous for anyone, but they’re especially dangerous for kids (who have been known to swallow toothpaste from time to time).

So, what happens if your baby swallows toothpaste? If it’s a small amount, it may not be cause for worry – although calling your doctor is always the safest bet. If it’s a larger amount, it can cause stomach pain, discomfort, vomiting and warrant a call to poison control.

At the end of the day, the risk just isn’t worth it. It’s best to cut conventional toothpastes out completely, especially for your kids.

What Is the Best Toothpaste for Kids?

The most important thing to look for when choosing a children’s toothpaste is an all-natural formula. Using clean, non-toxic ingredients is important for people of all ages but even more so for kids’ delicate nervous systems and developing bodies.

Using a high-quality fluoride-free toothpaste, like Wellnesse’s children’s toothpaste, will give you peace of mind. Wellnesse uses clean ingredients designed to keep your little ones’ smiles healthy and bright. Their children’s toothpaste is formulated with calcium carbonate, aloe vera, and hydroxyapatite to gently clean those tiny teeth – without aggravating their bellies!

One of the things kids love most about Wellnesse Children’s Toothpaste is its subtle strawberry flavor. Once they give it a try, they’ll look forward to brushing their teeth as often as you’ll let them. Their toothpaste is free of artificial sweeteners and flavors that can disrupt your kids’ good stomach flora. Most importantly, it is completely safe if swallowed.

When you shop Wellnesse oral care, you have peace of mind knowing your kids are safe. Not only that, but they’ll actually enjoy brushing their teeth every morning and night.

Do Kids Need Special Toothbrushes?

When it comes to oral hygiene, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Kids need toothbrushes that can gently but effectively navigate all the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. Whether your kids handle their own brushing or you do it for them, they need a toothbrush that’s designed for their needs.

That’s where the Wellnesse Children’s Toothbrushes come in. These biodegradable toothbrushes are designed with a smaller handle and smaller-than-average head to make brushing comfortable and fun! The bristles are soft enough to avoid gum irritation but firm enough to eliminate disease-causing bacteria. Plus, the brushes come in a 3-pack of various fun colors, so your kids can take their pick of what fits their style!

Lastly, if you’re the type of parent who loves making eco-friendly purchases, then you’ll love Wellnesse products even more. Their sustainable toothbrushes are crafted from biodegradable bamboo and recyclable nylon bristles for a zero-waste oral care experience. Nothing feels better than doing your part to save the earth and putting a smile on your kids’ faces. It’s a win-win!

Happy Brushing!

It’s never too early to start focusing on your child’s oral care. Forming healthy oral care habits early on is essential to lifelong health, so there’s no better time to start than now! Fortunately, brushing your kids’ teeth doesn’t have to be a chore. With the right attitude and tools, you can turn it into a fun activity for babies and kids of all ages. When you get them started early, you’re working to preserve their little smiles for many years to come.

Did you find this article helpful? Then be sure to share it on social media and tag three mom friends with little ones!