School-age dental care

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How to clean your child’s teeth

By the time your child reaches school, he might be starting to clean his own teeth. If so, it’s a good idea for you to either start or finish the cleaning process. Your child will still need your supervision and help until he’s at least eight years old. 

The best way to clean your child’s teeth

1. Use a child’s toothbrush that has soft bristles of different heights to effectively clean the teeth and gums.
2. Stand or sit behind your child so that she is secure and you can see her mouth.
3. Cup her chin in your hands with her head resting against your body.
4. Angle the bristles of the toothbrush toward the gum. Move the brush in gentle circles to clean the outer and inner sides of the teeth and gums. Lift her lips to brush the front and back of the teeth and at the gum line.
5. Brush back and forth on the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
6. Gently brush your child’s tongue.

Flossing
Your child’s teeth should be flossed a minimum of two nights per week, and ideally every night.

If your child wants to floss his own teeth, but is having difficulty, he might be pulling the floss too tightly between his fingers or have his fingers too close together. Keep demonstrating and assisting until he gets the hang of it.

Toothpaste and fluoride

You can use low-fluoride toothpastes to brush children’s teeth from 18 months of age. Fluoride is a mineral that helps build strong teeth and bones and prevent tooth decay.

If children ingest too much fluoride, it can cause ‘fluorosis’, or a build-up of white marks on the teeth. Although this affects the appearance of the teeth, it generally doesn’t affect health.

You can use regular fluoride toothpaste once your child has turned six. You need to use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Encourage your child to spit the toothpaste out as you clean. She doesn’t need to rinse with water, though. The small amount of fluoridated toothpaste remaining in her mouth will help build strong, healthy teeth. Some children who are at high risk for developing caries might be prescribed a fluoride mouthrinse by their dentist.

Fluoride is also available in fluoridated water supplies. Fluoride is considered safe and beneficial for strong teeth. In fact, fluoride works best when it is ingested in very small amounts throughout the day via sources such as fluoridated tap water, foods and drinks containing fluoride and fluoride toothpaste. 

Keeping your child’s toothbrush clean

After cleaning your child’s teeth and gums:

• Rinse the toothbrush with tap water to remove any remaining toothpaste or food.
• Store the toothbrush in an upright position and in an open container to allow it to air-dry.

If other family members’ toothbrushes are stored in the same place, make sure the brushes do not touch. This reduces the risk of transfer of decay-causing bacteria from family members to your child’s mouth. For the same reason, it’s also important that each family member has their own toothbrush, and that these are not shared.

Toothbrushes should be replaced every 3-4 months, or when the bristles have become worn or frayed.

Dental sealants

Your dentist might recommend sealants for your school-age child.

Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings that dentists bond to the chewing surfaces of teeth (where most cavities in children are found). These sealants prevent plaque build-up in the grooves of teeth and help prevent tooth decay. The process of applying the sealant is simple and quick, with no pain and minimal discomfort for your child.

Sealants are not permanent. They should be reviewed by your dentist regularly and might sometimes require repair or reapplication. If you wish to consider dental sealants for your child, speak to your dentist. 

Mouthguards

Mouthguards can help protect children’s teeth from knocks and falls. If your child plays sport, it’s good to get him used to wearing a mouthguard from an early age. There are three types of mouthguard:

• ready-made
• ‘boil and bite’, which you mould around your child’s teeth and jawbone
• custom mouthguard, made by a dentist. These provide the best protection as they are specifically fitted to your child’s teeth and jaws.

When choosing a mouthguard, consider whether it:

• is resilient and tear resistant
• fits snugly and is comfortable
• will be easy to clean
• will restrict speech or breathing.

To help your child’s mouthguard stay clean and in good shape, you can do the following:

• Rinse the mouthguard before each use, and brush with a non-abrasive toothpaste afterwards.
• Clean it once in a while in soapy water, making sure you rinse it thoroughly.
• Carry the mouthguard in a container that has vents.
• Don’t leave the mouthguard in the sun or in hot water.
• Take the mouthguard along to your child’s dental visits.

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