When should my child start brushing? Dental hygiene should start even before the first tooth erupts. We at Tooronga Family Dentistry recommend running a damp washcloth over the baby’s gums gently to teach them about oral hygiene. As the teething starts your child can have a small soft toothbrush to rub on his gums. As soon as the teeth appear it is important to help your child with brushing, using a bit of toothpaste about the size of a pea, twice a day.

When should kids have their first dental exam? The first dental appointment should be before their 1st birthday. At their first appointment we will explain to them everything that we do, show them their teeth and examine them to see if they are well . It is important not to wait for pain or brown stains to appear on the teeth, since it is all preventable.

When should kids start brushing their teeth on their own? Children can start brushing their teeth, using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste under adult supervision, as young as 1 year old. We at Tooronga Family Dentistry recommend that they brush twice a day, morning and night, for two full minutes. Brushing your own teeth with your kids can set a good example for them to follow. To make brushing fun, your child can choose a toothbrush featuring a favorite character and a good way to help your child to brush for the right amount of time, is to play a pleasant song for 2 minutes.

Once the brushing is finished, it would be advisable for an adult to check, if they reached all teeth with the brush and to clean the areas that were missed.

When should kids start flossing?

Flossing is needed once two teeth are touching and a place for bacteria to hide is created.  These conditions usually appear when they reach the age of 16 month.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have more questions or to make an appointment to see Dr. Kaufman Daniel at Tooronga Family Dentistry .