TOOTHBRUSHING TECHNIQUES FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS OF CHILDREN

The basic premise of any good habit is that it should be cultivated at an early age. In the same way oral hygiene for children should begin immediately after birth and should be a part of overall hygiene. In the initial years, it is of course the parent’s are responsibility. Even though more and more participation on the children’s part can be expected as they start growing, it is necessary that the parents are involved to some level for each age group. Positioning of parents and child should also vary according to the child’s age. 

INFANTS (0 TO 1 YEAR OLD)

• Needless to mention, it is totally the parent’s  job.
• Start cleaning baby’s gums and tongue with soft wet piece of clean cloth even before eruption of teeth. 
• Start tooth brushing as soon as the first tooth is visible using soft, infant-sized toothbrush / finger brush.

Toothpaste: not necessary (as baby may not like it and is not able to rinse)

Position: cradling the child with one hand and massaging the teeth with the other hand

"smear" of  toothpaste

TODDLERS (1 TO 3 YEARS OLD)

• Most toddlers enjoy imitating their parents; will readily practice brushing teeth on their own and may even be resistant to allow anyone else to do the brushing.
• Although children should be encouraged to begin this rudimentary brushing, adequate cleaning is not accomplished by them. Hence parents still play the main role in thoroughly brushing all the areas of mouth.   

Toothpaste: minimal; only a “smear” (thin layer) on the brush    

"Knee to Knee" position for toddlers

Position: important as many children are resistant for brushing by parents

“Knee to Knee” Position:

• Two adults sit facing each other with knees touching
• Rest the child on the laps
• One adult holds the child’s legs and arms; the other performs brushing

PRESCHOOLERS (3 TO 6 YEARS OLD)

·         Though there is significant improvement in the child’s ability to manipulate the toothbrush, parent’s still have to continue brushing their child’s teeth. (Even if they feel that the child can now brush on his/her own).

Toothpaste: still very less; only a pea sized amount

Position:

• Position yourself behind the child
• Tilt the child’s head up
• Cradle the child’s head in your arm to provide support
• Use your free hand to pull back the lip or cheek

(Do not stand in front of child as it does not provide support to child’s head)

SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (6 TO 12 YEARS OLD)

• Children can assume more responsibility of oral hygiene (just like homework and household chores)
• Parents involvement still needed; but they can switch to “active supervision” than performing brushing for child
• Actively inspect for cleanliness in all areas of mouth; help the child brushing in certain “difficult-to-reach areas” of mouth like back teeth

ADOLESCENTS (12 TO 19 YEARS OLD)

• Difficult stage!
• They have developed the skills for adequate oral hygiene
• But, their compliance problem, poor dietary habits and pubertal hormonal changes increase risk of dental cavities in this age group

How to deal with the problem???

• Stress their increased responsibility as young adults without appearing authoritarian
• Be ready to adapt to their child’s changing personality and continue to reinforce the need for good oral hygiene
• Increasing their awareness about dental problems as well as appealing to their “appearance” can help in motivating these children

How many times? When?

• At least two times every day
• Brushing at night before bedtime is most important as the process of cavities formation is very fast during sleep hours
• Brush after eating than before it; e.g. after breakfast than immediately after awakening

(This would not only help to remove the food particles from tooth surfaces, but also allow the fluoride in the toothpaste to exert its protective action on the teeth more efficiently)

Is brushing still a battle?

Here are some ways to make brushing more of fun and less of a battle!

Begin early: If started soon after birth, it becomes a habit or a part of routine for the babies and they enjoy it!

You are your child’s role model: So if you brush with them, they will definitely follow you!

Make it a challenge: If you put it as a challenge or task to be achieved and promise reward at the end of achieving it, children will readily take it up as the sense of accomplishment means a lot to them!

So, make a weekly chart for brushing and give a reward to the child on Sunday only if the chart is filled fully!  

Last and the most important - Do not use “taking to the dentist” as a threat if your child does not brush! This will put a negative impact on the child’s mind about dentistry and will make dental treatment difficult if required any time!

Children’s psychology is changing continuously at every age. So just understanding the child’s mind and changing yourself according to child’s age would help achieve the task!