Toothbrushing for Children

Excerpt from "Your Child's Teeth: Helpful Tips for Parents and Caregivers", by the American Dental Association:

Brush and floss your child's teeth until he or she is at least six years old. By age six or seven, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day – with supervision until about age 10 or 11, to make sure they are doing a thorough job. However, each child is different. Your dentist can help you determine whether the child has the skill level to brush properly.

Choose a child-size toothbrush for ease of use. The variety of colors and designs can provide extra fun and motivation to keep children brushing. There are also powered or mechanical brushes available for children, so ask your dentist if one is right for your child.

Proper brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces. When teaching how to brush, you may wish to stand behind the child and hold the brush to be certain that brushing is done perfectly.

For more information on proper brushing techniques, visit Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums