The sooner dental hygiene begins, the lower the likelihood of this pathology developing (caries). Parents should be responsible for dental hygiene until the child has sufficient motor dexterity to brush their own teeth. Once the child reaches 7-10 years of age (depending on the child) they will be able to carry out task by themselves, although parental supervision is recommended when brushing teeth at night until the child reaches adolescence. At what age should oral hygiene begin in babies and children? At around 4 months, before the first milk teeth have come through, you can start cleaning your baby’s gums with a gauze moistened in water or using a silicone fingertip toothbrush. When your baby’s first teeth come through, brush them twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush of appropriate size for their age. From the time there is contact between the teeth, you should start using dental floss to prevent interproximal caries. From the age of three , an electric toothbrush can be used, but always with the assistance of the parents. When should toothpaste be introduced into the oral hygiene routines of babies and children? Toothpaste should be introduced as soon as the first tooth erupts , which usually happens at around 6 months. It should be a dental compound containing 500 ppm of fluoride. The amount placed on the brush should be the size of the fingernail on the baby's little finger. When the child no longer swallows the toothpaste , the amount of fluoride in the paste can be increased to 1000-1450 ppm . The quantity should be no bigger than the size of a pea. From the age of 6, an adult or children’s toothpaste containing at least 1450 ppm of fluoride may be used. How should fluoride be used in oral hygiene in infants and children? Depending on the individual risk of dental caries, fluoride supplements may be added to the child’s oral hygiene routine. The most common of these is fluoridated mouthwash , which can be used daily or weekly as per the dentist's advice. Visits to the dentist should begin at around age 2-3 years or even earlier, to provide information to parents on the prevention of dental caries . Visits to the dentist should take place every six months. In the hospitals and clinics of the Hospital da Luz network, there are dental specialists who monitor oral health. Author : Sara Quaresma Meet the Dentistry team of Hospital da Luz network The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
