Toothbrushing – children 0-6 years

Start early#

Brush your child’s teeth twice a day – in the morning and before going to bed at night. Introduce toothbrushing early so that it becomes a familiar part of your child’s daily routine. Children need help and encouragement to develop this new skill over time.

As soon as the first tooth appears (usually at around 6 months of age), brush gently with a soft children’s toothbrush. You can also use a soft, wet cloth to wipe over the teeth and gums. Clean all surfaces of the teeth and gums twice a day.

Making toothbrushing part of your child’s routine from the start not only helps prevent painful problems like tooth decay, it also builds healthy habits that can set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Regular toothbrushing helps remove the bacteria and plaque that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Choosing a toothbrush and toothpaste#

Choose a toothbrush designed for children, with a small head and soft bristles.

For toothpaste, a general guide is:

• 0–18 months – use water only, no toothpaste.
• 18 months until 6 years of age – use a small, pea-sized amount of low-fluoride children’s toothpaste (check the pack).
• From 6 years of age – use a pea-sized amount of standard fluoride toothpaste.

Tip: Fruit-flavoured and other non-mint toothpastes have become popular and are fine to use. Just make sure the toothpaste contains fluoride, as this is the key ingredient that protects teeth against decay.

For children who do not have access to fluoridated water, or who have a greater risk of tooth decay for other reasons, toothpaste guidance may differ. For children at higher risk of decay, an oral health professional may recommend applying a tooth mousse to help make teeth stronger. Ask your oral health professional for more information.

A children’s electric toothbrush is a good alternative for some children older than three years and can make brushing easier and more fun.

How to brush your child’s teeth#

Young children cannot brush their own teeth well enough, so they need an adult to do it for them.

Start by finding a comfortable position. For example, your child can sit on your lap facing away from you, with their head resting against your body while you cup their chin with one hand.

• Brush the teeth and along the gum line so that every tooth is cleaned thoroughly (about two minutes is a good guide).
• Brush gently in small circles on the inside and outside surfaces.
• Brush back and forth on the chewing surfaces.
• After brushing, ask your child to spit out the toothpaste but not to rinse with water. The small amount of toothpaste left behind keeps protecting the teeth.

If you use an electric toothbrush, read the instructions first. Guide the brush onto your child’s teeth before switching it on, then move the head slowly from tooth to tooth, including along the gum line where the gum and tooth meet. Do not press too hard or scrub – let the brush do the work.

You may also want to start using dental floss with your child, to make cleaning between teeth a good habit from a young age. Ask your oral health professional for advice.

Teaching your child to brush#

Encourage children to take part in toothbrushing as they get older. At around two or three years of age, help them develop the skill by letting them have a go first, then follow up to make sure all surfaces are clean.

By around eight years of age, most children have developed the fine motor skills needed for toothbrushing. Even so, supervision is often needed past this age until you are sure they can do it well on their own.

Tips to encourage toothbrushing#

Not all children enjoy toothbrushing at first, but most eventually come to see it as something we do every day to keep our bodies healthy. Some ideas:

• Make it fun – sing a song, make silly noises, or play a children’s toothbrushing video or app, anything that makes the time enjoyable.
• Let children copy others. Ask family members to show how they brush.
• Use dental-themed story books to teach young children about brushing.
• Try using two toothbrushes – one for your child to hold and use, and one for you to brush properly. Some children respond well to ‘your turn, my turn’, where the child brushes first and then the parent.
• If your child does not like the taste of toothpaste, try brushing without it first, then introduce a small amount of children’s low-fluoride toothpaste to get them used to the flavour. Milder or fruity flavours may help.
• If the bathroom is not working, try another location in the house.
• For older children, try a reward system – for example, mark each successful brushing on a calendar and offer a reward when they reach a goal.

Dental checks for children#

It is recommended that children have an oral health check by the time they turn two. This may be done by a dental professional or another health professional, such as a doctor or child health nurse. Older children should continue to have regular check-ups. Ask your oral health professional how often your child needs to be seen.

Key points#

• Brush your child’s teeth twice a day, in the morning and before bed, starting as soon as the first tooth appears.
• Use water only up to 18 months, then low-fluoride children’s toothpaste until age six, then standard fluoride toothpaste – always with fluoride, as it protects against decay.
• Young children need an adult to brush for them, with supervision often needed until around eight years of age.
• After brushing, spit out the toothpaste but do not rinse, so it can keep protecting the teeth.
• Have your child’s first oral health check by the time they turn two, and continue regular check-ups.

Where to get help#