How Do I Take Care of My 2 Year Old's Teeth? Proper Oral Hygiene For Toddlers | Willow Pediatric Dentistry (2024)

FAQs

How Do I Take Care of My 2 Year Old's Teeth? Proper Oral Hygiene For Toddlers | Willow Pediatric Dentistry? ›

It's Time To Start Brushing (And Make Sure You Do It Right!)

Teach your child to brush 2 times a day with fluoride toothpaste. Starting at age 2 or 3 years, use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to brush your child's teeth. Make sure your child spits out the toothpaste after brushing — if young children swallow too much fluoride toothpaste, their adult teeth may have white spots.

Brush gently in small circles. Brush along the inside surfaces and the outside surfaces. Brush back and forth on the chewing surfaces of teeth. After brushing, ask your child to spit out toothpaste, and not to rinse with water.

Use a small, soft toothbrush designed for your child's age. Use water on the toothbrush until your child is 18 months old, unless a dentist tells you otherwise. From 18 months to 3 years, you can start using a smear-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste, unless a dentist recommends otherwise.

Children under 3 years old: Help your child brush twice a day for 2 minutes with a soft toothbrush with a smear (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste. Children 3 years old and older: Help your child brush twice a day for 2 minutes with a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Play games with your child

One of the best ways to prepare for the first dentist visit for toddler is to play games with them. It will help them to relax and feel comfortable in the dental office. There are many different dental games that you can play with your child, and they can be a lot of fun.

Brush your child's teeth thoroughly for at least 2 minutes, twice per day. Brush the front, back, and the tops of the teeth using small, circular brush strokes. We recommend brushing once after breakfast, and once before bed.

Healthy baby teeth should appear bright and white. Discoloration or yellowing of the teeth may indicate poor oral hygiene or potential tooth decay.

Children who don't brush their teeth are at risk for tooth decay and cavities, which can lead to larger issues later in life, like pain, infections, and problems with eating and speaking.

Stripping off plaque is possible through brushing for three minutes, three times a day. Flossing and using interdental brushes can reach the spaces in between teeth. After brushing and flossing, rinsing the mouth with a fluoride mouthwash can remove the remaining plaque.

Can you floss a 2 year old's teeth? ›

Flossing should start when your child has 2 teeth that touch. This is often around ages 2 to 3. Always floss under the direction of your child's dentist or primary care provider. Before this age, flossing is not needed.

One option many pediatric dentists recommend is a finger slip toothbrush. This baby-friendly toothbrush made of textured silicone is a great way to remove any sugar or milk build-up on your child's gums and is easy to use. This is a more practical alternative to wiping down your baby's gums with a damp washcloth.

For children, some early tooth decay may be managed with conservative methods such as removal of plaque, cleansing the dental decay, remineralizing the teeth, use of supplemental fluoride, and dental sealants. In most cases, treatment will require removing the decayed part of the tooth and replacing it with a filling.

Tooth decay can be the result of a number of lifestyle factors. Avoiding sugary foods and drinks and brushing twice daily with an age appropriate fluoride toothpaste, remain the best way to maintain healthy teeth in children.

Cleaning teeth helps to prevent tooth decay

Start to clean your baby's teeth as soon as the first tooth comes through. Use a wet cloth or a small children's toothbrush with water. From 18 months to six years of age, use a small pea-sized amount of children's low-fluoride toothpaste on a small, soft toothbrush.

According to the American Dental Association, 2-year molars typically come through when a child is 23-33 months old. Many toddlers show no signs of pain while teething. However, when these molars come through, it can be particularly painful, leading to crankiness and irritability.

Stripping off plaque is possible through brushing for three minutes, three times a day. Flossing and using interdental brushes can reach the spaces in between teeth. After brushing and flossing, rinsing the mouth with a fluoride mouthwash can remove the remaining plaque.