Local Dental Care - Baby Molars

Dental Care: Toothbrush Tips For Kids

There are so many designs for toothbrushes. How does anyone know what to select? Here are some tips from a pediatric dentist to make the right decision and get the most out of your purchase.

Let's begin with preschoolers. Toothbrushes should have extra soft bristles with small, rounded heads. The handles should be larger for a good grip. Some toothbrushes have rubber on the handle to make them slip-proof. A colored area on the bristles indicating the correct amount of toothpaste to dispense can be helpful. Do not permit your preschooler to chew on his or her toothbrush or run with a toothbrush in his or her mouth. You should do the brushing until six years of age. No toothpaste should be used until after age two.

The six-year molars erupt (come in) behind the primary (baby) molars in the back of the mouth. When they begin to erupt, it is time for another toothbrush design. This brush should have a larger head to accommodate the larger permanent teeth and a longer tuft of bristles on the end of the head. As the six-year molars erupt, they are lower than the teeth that are beside them. A toothbrush with a longer set of bristles at the end, an end tuft, is better for cleaning erupting molars.

Around age twelve, when the twelve-year molars are erupting, use the same style brush with an end tuft, but the head should be larger.

During orthodontic treatment, a toothbrush that can clean around the braces is necessary. These brushes will have a short row of bristles in the center and two longer rows on the outside. They will clean around the brackets more effectively. A tiny brush, called an interdental brush, is used for cleaning areas that are hard to reach. Your orthodontist will instruct you regarding the extras needed for good dental care during orthodontic treatment.

All brushes, for all ages, should have soft bristles. Hard bristles are hard on gums. As soon as the bristles look frayed, the toothbrush should be replaced. It is impossible to clean teeth properly with a tattered toothbrush. Replacement may be once a month for some heavy-duty brushers and less often for those with a healthier gentle technique.

All toothbrushes should be rinsed thoroughly with hot water before and after brushing. Rinsing toothbrushes has been shown to reduce the growth of bacteria on the bristles between brushing.

Toothbrushes should be replaced after any illness. If a strep infection is being treated, the toothbrush should be replaced. The strep grows on the toothbrush and can re-infect your child. When you pick up your prescription, also pick up two new toothbrushes. Begin a new toothbrush 24 hours after the antibiotic is started and begin the second toothbrush upon completion of the antibiotic. The same holds true for acrylic orthodontic appliances. They must be disinfected during a strep infection because strep grows on appliances too.

Because viruses and bacteria are growing on the toothbrush bristles during an illness, do not touch the toothpaste tube with the bristles of the toothbrush. Place the toothpaste on a clean finger for transfer, or if the child has herpes, place the toothpaste on a cotton swab for transfer to the toothbrush.

What about the power or electric toothbrushes? Do they do a better job of cleaning? Yes, yes, yes! The first electric brush can be used at age six when children begin to do their own brushing. They must be kept clean and the heads should be changed when the bristles become frayed. The head can be soaked in mouthwash containing alcohol for disinfecting if an illness occurs just after starting to use a new brush. Keep all mouthwash out of the reach of children!

Bedtime brushing is the most important time of day. Morning brushing may be done before breakfast, but after breakfast is more important. After you have purchased the appropriate toothbrush for your child, the only thing left is for you to say, at least twice each day, USE IT!!!

By Jane A. Soxman, DDS

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Early Child Dentist Visits

Many people don't consider a child's need for pediatric dental care until they actually get their pearly whites. In fact, most kids don't see their child dentist until about two years of age (though they really should have their first appointment by their first birthday). Why spend a lot of time worrying about something that hasn't happened yet, right? While it's true that it's pointless to check an empty mouth for cavities, good child dental care habits begin long before a baby's first baby teeth break through the gums. Ensuring that teeth grow in healthy and in place will result in proper facial arrangement and speaking abilities.

Caring for Your Baby's Teeth!

Whether breast-fed or bottle-fed, baby gums need to be cleaned after every feeding. Just moisten a gauze square and gently wipe away plaque. Never put a baby to bed with a bottle containing anything but water! Sugar could decay teeth beginning to surface. It's also a difficult habit to break, so nix it now before you have to try to pry juice from your 5-year-old's hands.

Healthy Habits Last a Lifetime

Research shows that kids who are brushing their teeth by the age of five will continue this habit all their lives. Begin supervised flossing by this age as well, and be sure to get your child to a dentist by his or her first birthday. Remember that a healthy diet is an important part of good oral health, so reinforce wise food selections during each and every meal. Give your child a head start on good dental health!

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.