Brushing Baby's Teeth: A How to Guide
When and how to start brushing your baby’s teeth and gums can be a bit confusing, especially if there aren’t any teeth yet! However, as oral hygiene is an important routine to maintain throughout one’s life, the earlier you teach your child good habits the better. Read on for our tips on when and how to brush your baby and toddler’s teeth for a lifetime of healthy and happy teeth and gums!
When to Start and what toothbrush to use
Brushing itself doesn’t need to start in earnest until actual teeth start cutting through, however your baby’s gums need some care and attention even before! Starting as soon as they’re born, use a damp washcloth, muslin, or even your finger, to gently rub along your baby’s gums after feeding to help wash away any bacteria buildup. Brushing should begin as soon as teeth start showing: start off gently with our silicone finger brush for infant teeth that are just starting to show, and then graduate to a bristled first toothbrush!
Why not try a baby electric toothbrush
For a thorough but gentle clean, your baby and toddler might also enjoy a suitable electric toothbrush. Matchstick Monkey's new Baby Electric Sonic Toothbrush is suitable from 3months up to 3 years. It has been designed to clean little one’s teeth gently and effectively. The ultra-soft bristles on the brush head and gentle vibrations are suitable for newly cut teeth and help you care for your child’s teeth and oral health. The handy cap protects the brush head and is a great on-the-go solution.
Support their Brushing
Just because your child has enough teeth to brush, doesn’t mean that they have the motor skills to do it themselves! The short, sharp movements of brushing are quite precise and not easy to get right first. When your child first starts using a toothbrush, try to alternate who is doing the brushing: start off doing it for them, and once they’ve understood, give them the lead. Continue to go back and forth so that you can model the pressure and movement, and to help make adjustments.
How to Make it Fun
Brushing teeth is a habit you want your child to get into for life, so you’re best off starting them off positively! Fostering good associations with tooth brushing can encourage your child to embrace it, rather than trying to get out of doing it or rushing through. Try using music, either by putting on your child’s favourite two-minute song to help them get used to the length of time they should be brushing, or if you are creatively inclined you can even make up a toothbrushing song together!
Don’t stress
Some babies and toddlers aren’t going to be that receptive to having their teeth brushed at first - so don’t be worrying too much. The important thing is making teeth brushing part of their dental hygiene routine.