Here are some quick tips to help ensure a healthy mouth for your toddler:
Eighteen Months
Introduce your child to fluoride toothpaste and to the teeth-brushing routine.
Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste, about the size of a rice grain, onto a soft, infant toothbrush. Tilt the child’s head towards you, so that you get a full view of your child’s mouth. Your child can either be sitting on your lap or standing, so you face the back of their head. Place the toothbrush into the child’s mouth on an angle towards the gum and gently, using a consistent circular motion, clean the outer gums and teeth. Work your way in to clean the gums and teeth on the inside of the mouth in a circular motion until all surfaces have been brushed thoroughly.
Three Years
Move to a larger amount of fluoride toothpaste on the toothbrush, always in proportion to growth of the teeth. Start with toothpaste about pea-size on the brush, and spit while direct brushing.
Once more of your child’s teeth “touches” neighboring teeth, begin to introduce flossing.
A great idea is to purchase your child a toothbrush or toothpaste with their favorite character on the packaging and let your child practice on you and others!