As a parents it’s our responsibilities to instill good dental habits with our kids, and this starts even earlier than you might realize. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry responds to the “when to start question” with a succinct “The sooner the better!”

(To help find a pediatric dentist for your child, read our Frequently Asked Questions Blog)

From the time your baby is born, you should make sure that your child’s gums are regularly rinsed clear of formula or milk. Once the first tooth appears our Loudoun Pediatric Dental Dentists recommend that if your child is a year old, but has yet to get the first tooth, you should bring your son or daughter to our office for his or her initial dental care appointment.

Once your child’s teeth start to appear, you can begin brushing two times per day, using fluoride toothpaste. Choose a toothbrush made specifically for your child’s age group, and one with has soft bristles.

Only a small smear of toothpaste is needed if your child is under two years old. Once the child celebrates his or her second birthday, you can use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Continue this practice until your child is five.

Of course, it is important that you monitor your child’s tooth brushing closely to help educate about proper techniques. Some young children might try to eat or swallow toothpaste, and this needs to be strongly discouraged. Be sure to teach proper rinsing and spitting behavior to round out your child’s early childhood tooth-care regimen.

For young kids, tooth brushing can be made into a fun event, and you can find a multitude of special toothbrushes that appeal to kids. There are even uniquely flavored and colored toothpastes that might encourage your child to get into the brushing game!

Introducing your child to toothpaste is an important step in their dental care routine. Here’s when and how much toothpaste to use at different stages of your child’s development:

When to Start Using Toothpaste

You can start brushing your child’s teeth with toothpaste as soon as their first tooth appears, which typically happens around 6 months of age. Prior to that, you can clean their gums with a soft, damp cloth to remove bacteria.

Amount of Toothpaste to Use:

• Infants and Toddlers (0-3 years old):
  For children under 3 years old, use a small smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel and protect against cavities, but since toddlers may swallow toothpaste at this age, it’s important to use only a tiny amount.
• Children (3-6 years old):
  Once your child reaches the age of 3, you can increase the amount of toothpaste to a pea-sized amount. At this stage, children can be taught to spit out toothpaste after brushing, but supervision is still necessary to ensure they don’t swallow too much.

Tips for Brushing with Toothpaste

• Supervision:
  Always supervise your child’s brushing until they are around 6-7 years old to ensure they’re using the correct amount of toothpaste and brushing properly.
• Fluoride Toothpaste:
  Using fluoride toothpaste is essential in preventing cavities, but it’s important to use it in appropriate quantities to avoid overexposure to fluoride, which can cause mild dental fluorosis (white spots on the teeth) if swallowed in large amounts during tooth development.

By starting early and teaching good habits, you’ll set the foundation for your child’s lifelong oral health! Contact our Loudoun County Pediatric Dental Office at (703) 542-7300 with any questions or to schedule an appointment.