How To Maintain Oral Hygiene In Kids Comprehensive Guide

Good oral hygiene is a boon for children’s overall healthy growth and development, along with self-boosting confidence.

According to a study, tooth decay is five times more common than asthma and 20 times more common than diabetes in children.

Therefore, it is essential to start oral hygiene early, even before the eruption of the first baby teeth to prevent the occurrence of cavities, gum diseases, bad breath, and eating and speech difficulty in children.

This blog will cover everything from kids’ oral hygiene to essential tips and tricks to maintaining it.

When to Start Oral Care for Kids?

Baby teeth, known as primary teeth, determine the alignment of the permanent teeth. Hence, caring for milk teeth becomes a crucial part to sustain a good jaw line, facial structure, speech enhancement, mood, and digestion.

Caution: Avoid giving teethers or pacifiers to babies older than six months to prevent misalignment.

Why Are Healthy Baby Teeth Important?

• Help with proper chewing and nutrition.
• Aid in clear speech development.
• Guides permanent teeth into the correct position.
• Supports healthy jaw and facial growth.
• Boosts self-esteem with a confident smile.
• Prevents pain and infections that could affect overall health.

How to Maintain Oral Hygiene in Kids, According to Age Group.

1. Before Teeth Erupts (0-6 months)

This age group requires regular cleansing of baby’s gums with either a clean, damp cloth, or a soft silicone finger brush, after feeding.

Reason: Doing so would remove the milk residue and bacteria from inside the baby’s mouth, due to the presence of breastmilk residue.

Note: No toothpaste is required.

2. First Tooth Appears (Around 6 months)

At this age, parents must start brushing their children’s teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled baby toothbrush, which is recommended with fluoride toothpaste of rice-grain-sized quantity.

Caution: Brush gently, especially before bedtime. This is important because of slow saliva flow at night, making the teeth vulnerable.

3. Teething Phase (6-12 months)

At this stage, babies start weaning on solids and hence, it is important to take precautionary steps to prevent milk teeth cavities.

It is important to brush at least twice a day and introduce drinking from a cup to phase out bottle feeding by age 1. Also, avoid letting babies fall asleep with a bottle, especially with milk or juice, to prevent baby bottle tooth decay.

Caution: Ensure to provide them with tooth-friendly snacks like cut-up fruits, veggies, cheese, etc.

4. One Year and Up

It is recommended to have the first dental visit either within the six months of occurrence of the first teeth or before the baby turns one. This is important for timely oral health diagnosis in children.

Sometimes, children can also suffer from tooth decay when the tooth decay-causing bacteria is passed on to by their parents. This could be from sharing utensils, blowing on food, kissing lips, etc.

In addition, parents with untreated cavities are at a higher risk of transmission.

Tip: Begin flossing the baby teeth when any two teeth begin touching.

Reason: Toothbrushes don't reach between the teeth to remove plaque and food particles from places where cavities often start. It also helps to keep the gums healthy and prevents early signs of gingivitis or inflammation in toddlers.

Moreover, healthy baby teeth are essential for guiding the alignment of permanent teeth. This lowers the risk of tooth loss or misalignment.

5. Age 3 to 6: Building the Habit

This age is crucial to developing kids’ oral hygiene. Parental supervision is important to guide children. They often lack the coordination to clean effectively on their own.

Tip: Be a role model and practice healthy oral habits to teach them the same.

Brushing Techniques and Tools

Establishing good brushing habits early in life is key to preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Below are some oral hygiene tips for kids.

I. The Age- Appropriateness

• Use a suitable toothbrush that has a fun design, a small head, and very soft bristles to protect children’s sensitive gums.
• Toothbrushes should have a simple, sturdy, and small grip. Hence, seek non-slip handles.
• Ensure to replace the toothbrush every 3 months or sooner, if the bristles wear away to protect their sensitive gums.

Tip: Electric or battery-powered toothbrushes are considered great for the children who repulse brushing. This is due to their in-built timer or music, that makes brushing fun, stimulating them to develop a habit.

II. Power of Fluoride Toothpaste

The presence of fluoride in toothpaste is one of the most efficient shields against tooth decay due to the following reasons.

• Strengthens tooth enamel and prevents cavities.
• Reverses early signs of tooth decay.
• Makes teeth more resistant to acid attacks from food and bacteria.
• Build lifelong habits for strong oral health.
• Reduces the need for future dental treatments.

Right Amount of Fluoride Toothpaste According to Age

Age Group	Fluoride Concentration	Amount of Toothpaste	Guideline
0-3 years	At least 1000 ppm	Smear (size of rice grain)	Under adult supervision. Ensure the child spits, not swallows.
3- 6 years	1000-1500 ppm	Pea-sized amount	Supervise brushing, teach spitting, discourage rinsing.
6+ years	1350-1500 ppm	1-2 cm strip	Brush twice a day. Spit after brushing and rinsing is optional.

III. Supervise Brushing

This is important until the age of seven to eight years as children lack manual dexterity to brush effectively on their own until about second grade. Also, use a mirror to watch and learn the correct movements and encourage brushing for at least two minutes.

Tip: Try “follow-up brushing” technique, where the child brushes first and you finish to ensure complete clean.

Flossing and Additional Cleaning Methods

Flossing and brushing serve as complementary purposes in maintaining good oral hygiene. It helps in the removal of tooth decay-causing residue from in-between the teeth, especially where the brush cannot reach.

Brushing Vs. Flossing

Both of them are equally important to maintain overall oral health and hygiene.

● Brushing: Helps in removing plaque, bacteria, and food from the outer surface of the teeth, that is front, back, and chewing surfaces. It is recommended twice daily.

● Flossing: Helps remove plaque and food from between the teeth, where the toothbrush bristles cannot reach. It aids in interdental cavities and gum diseases, like gingivitis and periodontitis. It is recommended once a day.

Tip: Begin by flossing to remove the residue from between the teeth, followed by brushing.

Tip: Use child-friendly floss picks and make it a “tickle the teeth session” to encourage cooperation.

Alternatives

There are also various other tools, besides flossing to maintain overall healthy oral hygiene.

I. Interdental Brushes for Older Kids

They are small, reusable brushes that clean between teeth and around the braces. These brushes work well for kids with larger gaps between their teeth.

Tip: Choose a brush size that fits comfortably between the teeth without forcing it.

II. Water Flossers

They use a gentle stream of water to remove the residue particles and plaque between the teeth. It is a boon for sensitive kids who resist string floss and also the ones having braces or any orthodontic appliances.

Tip: Ensure to use it either at a lower setting or under adult supervision.

III. Tongue Cleaning

This is important for fresher breath because it helps remove the bacteria on the tongue that cause bad odors. Therefore, gently brushing the tongue with a child-size scraper promotes better oral hygiene.

IV. Kid-Safe Mouthwash

It is recommended to do a quick rinse with plain water to remove the loose food particles. For older children, older than six years, who are prone to cavities, should consider using fluoride mouthwash.

Caution: Be mindful to avoid alcohol-based rinses and direct the children to use it only under adult supervision.

Tips to Inculcate Habit

• Try to integrate flossing into the nighttime routine after brushing your teeth.
• Let your child watch you floss because they learn what they see.

Diet And Its Role In Oral Health

Diet plays a major and a direct role in determining dental health. A tooth-friendly diet and good oral hygiene not only stop unnecessary tooth decay; they also strengthen teeth and support healthy gums from the inside.

I. Limit Sugary Snacks And Beverages

Sugar is very harmful for kids under the age of one, as it hinders their mental development.

Apart from this, consumption of sugar tends to feed harmful mouth bacteria that produces acids and erodes the tooth enamel, causing cavities.

Also, be wary about the hidden sugars in certain edibles like granola bars, flavored yogurt, fruit snacks, packaged juices, etc.

In addition, it is also recommended to avoid frequent snacking or sipping on sweet edibles throughout the day as it enhances the chance of acid attack on teeth.

Tip: Try to swap artificial sugar snacks with fruits slices.

II. Say Yes To Fruits, Vegetables, And Dairy Products

Encourage the children to savor crunchy carrots, apples, celery, cucumber, etc., as it helps in cleaning the teeth efficiently by naturally increasing the saliva flow in the mouth. This further helps in scrubbing the plaque gently.

Also, dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt help in strengthening tooth enamel, besides neutralizing acids in the mouth.

Tip: Cheese after meals is beneficial to balance out the pH and reduce the risk of tooth decay.

III. Promote Drinking Water

Water helps in rinsing away the residue food particles, dilutes acids, and also helps in keeping the saliva flowing, essential for oral protection. If the water has fluorine content, it provides a low-level, safe dose of fluoride that strengthens the teeth daily.

Tip: Encourage the kids to rinse their mouths after every snack or meal.

IV. Limit Sweetened Drinks

As a matter of fact, even the labeled 100% fruit juice contains natural sugars and acids that can damage the teeth.

Hence, it is recommended to limit the consumption to no more than 4oz/day for toddlers, and 4-6oz/day for children aged 4 to 6 years.

Tip: Ensure to either provide them with diluted juices or just water, in case they are thirsty.

In addition, it is recommended to offer the children sugary treats during mealtimes, and not during snacks.

Reason: Saliva production increases during meals, helping the buffer acids and rinses sugar more efficiently.

Regular Dental Visits

This is one of the most essential tasks for caregivers to help detect issues early and provide guidance on proper care. Also, maintaining regular checkups every six months helps in prevention, rather than cure.

Therefore, it is recommended to schedule the child’s first dental visit either before their first birthday or within six months of tooth eruption.

Making Oral Hygiene Fun For Kids

• Make a two-minute toothbrush song, along with the timer, and ensure to rhyme your actions in tune with it.
• Use interactive brushing apps that turn daily routines into mini games with rewards and animated characters.
• Let the kids choose their own toothbrush and paste as personalization and ownership stimulates excitement and responsibility.
• Make brushing time, a storytelling adventure, like “The mighty paste is here to fight the sugar bugs and guard the tooth castle.”
• Have family brushing time to model good habits in children. This also reinforces consistency and technique.

Common Oral Health Issues In Children

Some of the well-known oral health issues in children include:

I. Early Childhood Caries (ECC)

This is a severe form of tooth decay that affects children under the age of six years and often begins soon after the teeth erupt. Some of the common causes include prolonged bottle-feeding, frequent snacking or sipping, inadequate brushing, etc.

This could lead to pain, infections, difficulty eating, and disrupted speech development, along with increased risk of decay in permanent teeth.

One of the best ways to prevent it includes brushing the teeth and gums from an early stage of teething and having a tooth-friendly diet.

There are certain orthodontic treatments that can be done to ensure good oral hygiene.

Tip: Ensure to avoid sugary drinks through sippy cups or bottles, before naptime.

II. Fluoride Treatments

During the visits, the dentist might apply topical fluoride varnish during check-ups, especially for high-risk children.

III. Dental Sealants

These are considered to be quick, painless, and cost-effective for long-term dental health.

They are thin, protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth, called molars, and prevent food and bacteria from settling in deep grooves, thus reducing the risk of cavities by a huge amount.

It is considered ideal during the eruption of the children’s first or second permanent molars, especially around the ages of 6 and 12.

Tips for Parents

• Have family brushing and flossing time to help the children learn by watching.
• Avoid sharing spoons, cups, or pacifiers to reduce the spread of cavities.
• Establish a consistent brushing routine, twice a day for two minutes, every day.
• Create a “tooth-friendly snack zone”, containing all the healthy bites.
• Pack school lunches with low-sugar options.
• Teach the children to look for the ingredients, like corn syrup, fructose, evaporated can juice, as warnings for added sugar.

Also Read:

1. How To Choose the Right Teether To Match Your Baby's Age
2. Top 5 superfoods packed with nutrition for your baby's health and development
3. 30 Superfoods That Will Boost Your Child’s Immunity
4. How to Use Baby Care Kit Set Like a Pro
5. How Siblings Shape Child Development

Conclusion

Maintaining good oral hygiene supports overall health and growth in children.

As caregivers, we need to ensure that children have good dental care. This includes a healthy diet, proper dental habits, regular dentist checkups, and steps to prevent oral health problems.

Lastly, if you are seeking a super soft, cute and safe toothbrush for your tiny munchkin, then do take a peek at R for Rabbit’s Tiny Smiles Pixie, especially designed to sustain the sensitivity.