Brushing Baby's Teeth
Toothbrushing Tips for Tiny Tots

As a pediatric dentist for the past twenty years, it has been my mission to raise the level of preventive dental healthcare knowledge for many young parents. The many children that I see whose mouths are ravaged by dental disease serve as a frequent reminder of how unnecessary this disease really is.

What Causes Dental Disease?
You see, the primary reason for dental disease in young children is, quite simply, dirty teeth. It is not the candy, the juice, or even the nighttime bottle with sugar-containing liquids such as milk or juice that is the culprit.
Bacteria that quite naturally exist in the mouth, and particularly grow on the surface of the baby teeth, cause all dental disease. It is this bacterium that turns sugars into acids that then eat holes in the tooth enamel. From the moment that the baby teeth first enter the infant’s mouth (usually around six month of age), bacterial plaque begins to colonize and grow upon them.

Can Dental Disease be Avoided?
What is the correct way to absolutely, positively avoid the development of dental disease in children? Quite simply, the teeth must be thoroughly cleaned twice each day (morning and night). This task must be completed immediately upon the emergence of the first baby tooth and must be performed with or without the child’s permission or cooperation.
Use any positive and creative techniques that will make this job easier for you and your child, such as songs, puppets, wind up toys. Let your creative juices flow. But don’t lose sight of the goal, which is clean teeth and gums without compromise.

In other words, if you are blessed with the type of child who is not capable of sitting down to the task at hand, then it is time to take the task into your hands.

How Can I Clean My Child’s Teeth when All Else Fails?
Your voice is cracking from one song too many, the puppet is tattered on the floor in the corner of the bathroom, and your attempts to creatively guide your child to a lifetime of sparkling teeth have ended in screams and tears.
But as a parent, you want your child to grow up decay free in a world of positive dental health experiences.

Remember, cleaning a child’s teeth is a task. Just like washing a dirty face or changing a diaper, it is something that must be done with or without cooperation. And, it must be done properly and thoroughly, so that you avoid the possibility of dental disease.

I recommend the following techniques for the child who does not sit still, does not open his/her mouth, and is an unwilling participant in the effort to avoid dental disease.

How Should You Get Started?

1. Sit yourself down (toilet seat or chair) with your child’s back towards you.
2. Place your child between your legs.
3. Place your legs around your child so that you have the child’s lower body in a control position.
4. Place the child’s head between your torso and your arm so that you prevent the head from moving.
5. Hold both of the child’s hands together in your left hand.
6. Pick up a soft wet toothbrush. No toothpaste is necessary at this age. Toothpaste may sting the child’s mouth, cause gagging, and even be swallowed, which is not a good idea. It is the physical act of brushing that actually sweeps the decay-carrying bacteria from the teeth and gums.
7. Using the heel of the brush, slide the brush between the lips and alongside the cheek. Turn brush so the bristles are against the teeth and gums, and very quickly, go back and forth, gently scrubbing the teeth and gums. If your child is crying, it may even be easier, since the mouth is already open.
8. This should take no more than one minute, and you can sing, laugh, or just enjoy the moment, knowing that you are doing a really good thing for your child. This is a true act of love.

There is no greater love than that of parents for their child, and a lifetime of sparkling smiles should be a constant reminder of this love.

Provided by Dr. Cavan Brunsden, D.M.D. He is a Pediatric Dentist and Chairman of the Children’s Dental Health Monthly for NJDA.