Why Start Brushing Teeth Early?
Brushing teeth should begin as soon as the first tooth emerges, which typically occurs around six months of age.
The first years of a child’s life are instrumental in developing long-lasting habits, and oral hygiene should be no exception. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that parents brush their child’s teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, ideally when they wake up and before bed.
Children who do not develop proper brushing techniques and routines may experience tooth decay and cavities at an early age, leading to tooth pain, missed school days, and costly treatments that are unpleasant for the child as well as parents. Moreover, teaching children to view oral hygiene as a normal part of their daily routine is key to instilling lifelong practices.
It takes an average of 2 months to develop a habit. If a parent develops a routine of brushing their child’s teeth every morning, and brushing and flossing every evening, it will be easier for the child to maintain good oral health.
“Cavities develop when bacteria in plaque processes sugars from things like candy, soda, and juice, as well as carbohydrates from foods like cereals, crackers, breads, and chips, and then releases acid, which dissolves teeth. If there is no plaque, the chance of a cavity developing is very low. Parents often don’t realize that most cavities in baby teeth start between teeth, because parents are usually a lot better at brushing than they are at flossing their child’s teeth. When plaque bacteria sits between teeth, it releases acid, which dissolves the minerals out of the tooth and results in a cavity” said Dr. Pekarski.