Children´s dental care

Six tips for brushing children’s teeth

1. Brush twice a day. Brush once in the morning and once at night before bedtime.
2. Use a small and soft brush. The toothbrush should have a small brush head and gentle filaments.
3. Apply a little toothpaste. Use the size of the child’s little finger nail.
4. Create a habit. Brush the inside, outside and biting surfaces in the same order to make sure no side is forgotten.
5. Remember the gum line. Place the filaments at a 45º angle towards teeth and gum line.
6. Be gentle. Brush with a slight pressure using small movements.

How to brush your baby’s teeth

It is time to start brushing your children´s teeth as soon as the first tooth emerges. A fixed routine, in the morning and before bedtime, makes toothbrushing a natural part of your child's day.

It’s often convenient to brush with your child lying down, head nearest to you, for example, on the changing table. Closeness and eye contact make the child feel secure. While brushing, gently lift the child’s lip with your finger to see and reach better.

With TePe Mini™ it’s easy to start brushing from the very first tooth. It’s recommended for children from 0 to 3 – 4 years of age.

How to brush your kids’ teeth – pre-school children

Let the child sit in your lap, leaning the head on your arm. Brush with short movements and be sure that the toothbrush reaches the gum line. Always brush in the same order, for example, the inside, the outside and then the chewing surfaces of the teeth. To reach all surfaces it helps to lift the child’s lip gently with your finger.

After 3-4 years of age, you could start using a toothbrush with a slightly bigger brush head, like TePe Select Compact™. This brush is also available with cute prints – ask for TePe Kids™.

How to brush your kids’ teeth – school children

Supervise and help your child to brush until the age of 10 -12. Brush with short movements and be sure that the toothbrush reaches the gum line. Always brush in the same order, for example, the inside, the outside and then the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Give some extra attention to the new molars which emerge behind the last milk teeth. Their chewing surfaces are irregular and extra sensitive to cavities.

Use a special brush, for example, TePe Compact Tuft™, as a complement to the regular toothbrush. TePe Select Compact™ is a popular choice.

When it’s time to brush yourself…

At 10-12 years of age, it’s time for your child to use the brush him/herself, but it is, of course, possible to start practising earlier.

In the beginning, your child may have to brush under your supervision. From the age of 12, TePe Select™ is a good choice of toothbrush. It’s also available with illustrations – ask for TePe Graphic™.

How to brush your teeth

…and clean between your teeth

Cleaning between the teeth is usually not recommended until all the permanent teeth have emerged completely. If your dentist or hygienist have advised you to start cleaning between the teeth earlier than that, you should, of course, follow their recommendation.

How to clean between your teeth

Give the teeth time to recover

• Every time your child eats or drinks, bacteria start producing acids that corrode the teeth.
• After about half an hour, the saliva has helped neutralise the acids.
• Let the teeth rest – avoid eating between meals. If your child is thirsty between meals or at night time, offer water.
• Always go to bed with clean teeth. During the night, there is less saliva in the mouth, which makes the teeth more vulnerable to cavities.

Where to buy

TePe products are available from Dental Practices, Pharmacies, Online and from a number of retailers.

Information material

Download our patient leaflet Dental Care for children