Download Importance of Toothbrushing

Issue 1.4
February 2011
Importance of
Toothbrushing
in Children
Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University
Department of Periodontology
(President of the Turkish Periodontology Association)
The ideal time to start brushing a child's teeth is
when the teeth first begin to appear in the mouth.
To establish good brushing habits, parents should
set a good example for their children. It is also
necessary to introduce children to a toothbrush at
an early age.
The benefits gained from starting tooth brushing at an early age are
clear. When to start brushing is as important as the habit itself. Using
a brush without toothpaste is sufficient for children who have started
brushing their teeth at an early age. Yet, toothpaste use should also
be encouraged after making sure that the child will not swallow it.
In addition to caries caused by feeding bottles, one of the most
common causes of dental caries in younger children is the habit of
eating foods that are rich in sugar and its derivatives. Feeding bottle
caries mainly occur when children sleep with feeding bottles in their
mouth. A reduction in sugar consumption is not sufficient to prevent
such caries. Children should be taught to adopt good brushing
habits, and they should learn not to eat or drink anything after they
brush their teeth.
Protecting and maintening milk teeth is of great importance to the
health of permanent teeth that erupt later. Milk teeth that have been
prematurely lost pave the way for serious future problems, including
defects in the order of permanent teeth eruption and placement as
well as tooth irregularities also known as
orthodontic anomalies. And so, parents can not
simply take the attitude of “they will be lost
sooner or later”.
If some primary molar teeth remain in the mouth
longer than others, dental shifts will occur later on
that lead to tooth irregularities. Therefore, schoolage children should be encouraged to brush their
teeth with toothpaste regularly. It is also important
to choose a toothbrush that is appropriately sized
for children. Brushing techniques recommended
for adults should be encouraged as children grow
older.
Regular visits to the dentist are important in
childhood, particularly in two ways: First, parts of
teeth that are susceptible to decay can be coated
with protective substances and dental caries
prevented by the application of fluoride. Second,
meeting a dentist at an early age will also help
prevent dentophobia from occurring in children
and will make it easier to see a dentist in the
future.