Brushing and Flossing Teeth for Children
“Individuals should use a fluoride dentifrice (toothpaste) daily to help prevent dental caries, and should brush and floss daily to prevent gingivitis.” – U.S. Surgeon General’s Report
- Why do we brush our teeth?
- What are the recommended techniques for brushing teeth?
- How can I be sure that I am cleaning my teeth properly?
- Why is it important to use dental floss?
- Can brushing damage teeth?
- What is the ideal toothbrush?
- Are all toothbrushes made to the same design?
- What type of brush is suitable for children?
- How often should your toothbrush be changed?
- Should I share my toothbrush with another member of the family?
- Are electric toothbrushes recommended?
1. Why do we brush our teeth?
- It is important to remove the dental plaque and food that sticks to teeth, and causes decay and gum disease.
- Brushing and flossing are the most effective ways of controlling plaque.
- You need to be aware of the fact that plaque is being formed continuously.
- Plaque formation and growth cannot be stopped. It can only be controlled by regular daily removal.
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2. What are the recommended techniques for brushing teeth?
- We recommend two methods for brushing teeth. They both use the same angled position of the brush:
Place the brush at a 45-degree angle towards the junction of the tooth and the gum. This is the position for brushing the sides of the teeth.
- One suggested method is to brush gently in a circular movement.
- Another technique is known as the gentle scrub method.
- The brush is moved backwards and forwards horizontally in very short strokes.
- Each stroke is no more than the width of one tooth.
- Brush all the tooth surfaces of all the teeth.
- Brush behind the front teeth with an up and down movement using the end of the brush.
- Brushing should be unhurried and thorough.
- Partial dentures should be removed for the efficient brushing of the remaining teeth.
Toothbrush position |
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3. How can I be sure I am cleaning my teeth properly?
- Disclosing tablets can be used after brushing to check that all the plaque has been removed.
- These are brightly coloured tablets, which are chewed and then rinsed out.
- If your teeth are not clean, a pink stain will show where more brushing is needed.
- If your brushing has been thorough, little or no stained dental plaque will be seen.
- The disclosing tablets are only used occasionally, to confirm how well the teeth are being cleaned.
- Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day, preferably after meals.
- It is most important to brush your teeth before going to bed at night.
- Brushing should not injure the gums and cause bleeding. If your gums bleed after gentle brushing you should see your dentist.
- Disclosing tablets are available in a few colours.
After disclosing tablets |
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After more brushing |
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4. Why is it important to use dental floss?
- It is most important to clean between the teeth to prevent decay and gum disease.
- Plaque and food particles stick to the teeth in these areas.
- Normal tooth brushing cannot reach these tooth surfaces.
- Plaque can only be removed by daily brushing and interdental cleaning.
- Dental floss is the most efficient way to clean between teeth.
- Different types of floss are available, such as regular floss, dental tape and super floss.
- Floss is also available on a plastic holder, in the shape of a bow. It forms “the string of the bow” and it makes flossing very manageable.
Superfloss |
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Dental tape |
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Floss holders |
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Regular floss |
- Here are a few tips for flossing as demonstrated below:
- Use a 12-15inch (30-40cm) length of floss.
- Wrap the floss around your middle fingers.
- Hold the floss between the thumb and forefinger of each hand.
- Leave about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
- The floss must be taut when it is used.
- Gently guide the floss across the contact point between the teeth.
- When the floss is in position between the teeth, rub it up and down a few times against each tooth surface, one after the other.
- This is then repeated for all the teeth in the mouth.
- Care must be taken prevent bleeding if the floss cuts into the gum.
- A sharp downward thrust of the floss will damage the gum.
- Your dentist will be happy to show you how to floss, and choose which floss is best for you.
Floss on hands |
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Floss up |
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Floss down |
See Oral Hygeine
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5. Can brushing damage teeth?
- Toothwear, the wearing away of the enamel and dentine, can be caused by brushing too vigorously, and by using a toothbrush with a very hard bristle.
- This type of toothwear is called abrasion.
- It usually takes place at the gum margin, where the enamel is thin, and is easily worn away.
- Brushing across the teeth with long horizontal strokes is the main cause of abrasion. Gentle brushing is all that is necessary.
Abrasion |
See Toothwear
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6. What is the ideal toothbrush?
- The ideal toothbrush should meet the following requirements:
- It should have a head that is small enough, and correctly angled, to reach all the teeth.
- The brush should be multi-tufted, and have a medium/soft texture.
- Hard bristles can damage teeth and gums, and are not recommended.
- The bristles should be made of nylon, and their ends need to be rounded.
- Bristles made from synthetic rather than natural materials are preferable for hygienic reasons. Natural bristles may be porous and likely to absorb bacteria.
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7. Are all toothbrushes made to the same design?
- There is a large selection of toothbrushes:
- Some have bristles arranged in patterns that reach the greatest possible area of tooth surface.
- Others are designed for cleaning between the teeth, and along the gum margins.
- Yet another design is made with a row of coloured bristles that fade with use, and thereby indicate that the brush needs replacing.
Toothbrush bristles |
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Various toothbrushes |
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8. What type of toothbrush is suitable for children?
- A toothbrush with a small head is recommended, so that children can use it easily, and it will not cause gagging when they brush their back teeth.
- The handle should have the correct length and thickness. It must be easy to use and provide for a firm grip.
- Toothbrushes can easily be modified if difficulty is experienced with a regular brush.
- These brushes for children often have handles and heads that are brightly coloured, and show cartoon characters. Brushing needs to be a fun experience!
Toothbrush for children |
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Modified toothbrushes |
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9. How often should your toothbrush be changed?
- The toothbrush should be changed at the first sign of wear.
- The bristles may become flattened and lose their shape.
- Bristles wear differently from person to person depending on how the toothbrush is used.
- Plaque removal becomes less efficient with an old worn toothbrush.
- It is recommended that you to change your toothbrush every four to six months.
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10. Should I share my toothbrush with another member of the family?
- Toothbrushes should not be shared as they can harbour infectious bacteria.
- Using the same toothbrush can transmit hepatitis and other diseases.
- Mothers should not share their toothbrushes with their children.
- The initial immunity to infection that the child shares with the mother does not last indefinitely.
- Toothbrushes should also be kept separately, as an added precaution.
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11. Are electric toothbrushes recommended?
- Electric toothbrushes have proven to be very successful in maintaining good oral health, and removing plaque.
- The action of the brush is very efficient for cleaning teeth.
- Electric toothbrushes are recommended for the elderly and people with arthritis or other disabilities, who may find it difficult to manage with a manual toothbrush.
- Children enjoy the fun of using an electric toothbrush. It will result in a more thorough cleaning of their teeth, particularly at an early age.
- As they grow older it may be less important to use an electric toothbrush.
- It is effective with fixed orthodontic appliances.
- Remember that the cleaning of teeth will only be successful, if the motivation exists to have healthy teeth and gums.
- Consult your dentist and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
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