Cleaning teeth in babies and toddlers

Proper care for children’s teeth begins as soon as the first tooth appears – usually between the 5th and 7th month of life. Brushing the teeth of the youngest children is the basis for preventing tooth decay and ensuring healthy tooth development.

When to start?

It is advisable to start cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. Although it may seem too early, regular care from the very beginning creates good habits and prevents plaque build-up.

What tools should you use?

Toothbrushes suitable for children

• Children’s manual toothbrushes with soft bristles and a straight cut are ideal. Models such as Curakid from Curaprox or TePe Mini x-soft, for example, have the optimum hardness and size.
• The Solo toothbrush from Curaprox is a great helper – its small head allows for easy handling and thorough cleaning of all tooth surfaces.
• Sonic toothbrushes (e.g., Philips Sonicare for Kids) can motivate children to brush regularly while effectively removing plaque. Sonic toothbrushes are suitable for children aged 3 and up.

Toothbrushes to avoid

• Toothbrushes with hard bristles can be aggressive on children’s gums and are therefore not suitable.
• Finger toothbrushes and teethers are not designed for cleaning teeth – they do not remove plaque and children tend to play with them instead.

What toothpaste should I use?

• Toothpaste is not necessary for children under 1 year of age.
• For children aged 1 to 6, we recommend fluoride toothpastes such as Elmex Kids.

Recommended amount of paste:

• From 1 year old – rice grain size
• From 2 years old – lentil size
• From 3 years old – pea size (at this age, children should start spitting out the toothpaste).
• We do not recommend using fluoride-free toothpaste, as it does not protect the enamel.

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How to brush your teeth properly?

For the youngest children (babies)

The best position is lying down, for example on a changing table or bed. Gently hold your child’s chin, pull their lips apart with your fingers, and use the toothbrush to make small circular movements on each tooth individually.

For toddlers

A comfortable position is when the child is lying down and their head is in the parent’s lap. Gently hold the child’s hands under the parent’s thighs so that they do not resist cleaning. Hold the toothbrush like a pencil and make small circles (about 10 for each tooth).

Cleaning procedure

1. Start with the upper teeth – clean from all sides: front, inside, and chewing surfaces.
2. Focus on the front teeth near the palate, where plaque easily accumulates due to the shape of the tooth.
3. Don’t forget to clean the area where the tooth and gum meet (the neck of the tooth).
4. For children who don’t want to cooperate, use the two-brush trick – one brush can be “bitten” by the child while you clean with the other
5. Don’t forget the lower teeth, especially on the tongue side

What not to do when cleaning?

Avoid cleaning when the child is standing or fidgeting a lot. Inadequate fixation increases the risk of injury to the gums and teeth and may discourage children from further cleaning.
Do not try to clean teeth “blindly” without firmly fixing the child’s head.

Regular cleaning in the morning and evening using the correct technique with your help is essential for preventing tooth decay. Thorough cleaning before bedtime reduces the risk of decay, even if the child is still breastfed at night.