Hygiene

Your child at this stage may have recently been introduced to having their teeth brushed or they may not like having their teeth brushed.

• Use the right size toothbrush for your child’s mouth
• Allow your child to choose their toothbrush and tooth paste, lots of child characters are available
• Use a mirror so your child can see themselves
• You may want to stand behind your child while brushing their teeth
• Encourage your child to hold the tooth brush and participate where possible
• Take your child to the dentist when they have their first milk teeth, this is both for dental health and to increase confidence around being introduced to the dentist at a young age

  If your child continues to find tooth brushing difficult:

• Try a mild or non-flavoured tooth paste
• Try electric and standard tooth brushes
• Consider if different tooth pastes have different textures, some children don’t like the bubbles
• If your child is finding it hard to accept a standard tooth brush you could try chewy tooth brushes, baby tooth brushes or initially try cleaning with a flannel (the safety of each of these would need to be considered)
• For children with additional needs specialist dentists are available. – Link https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/what-we-do/dental-healthcare-services/special-care-dental-services