Children's oral hygiene | Dr. Carina Wick

Professional Dental Cleaning

Is professional oral hygiene worth it for children?

Around the 4th - 6th month, the first little teeth become visible in the mouth. Children's oral hygiene is recommended for the first little teeth: 1 - 2 times a day to carefully clean with special finger sticks or baby toothbrushes from plaque. This will help your child get used to the daily ritual.
The more teeth become visible in the mouth next to each other, the more important it becomes to brush your child's teeth twice a day for two minutes. This is to reach plaque that sticks BETWEEN the teeth. A toothbrush with a small head is recommended for this purpose . A pea-sized blob of a fluoride toothpaste that is as age-appropriate as possible is quite sufficient.
Around the age of 2, the child should be taken to the dentist. The first VISIT to the dentist should take place BEFORE the first dental TREATMENT, so that the child builds up trust in the dentist beforehand. Professional oral hygiene for children is then the first step to familiarize the child with the work in the mouth.

The age-appropriate fluoride recommendation 2- 6 years: ( indication in fluoride content ppm in the toothpaste, application frequency and quantity size):

500 ppm, 2x daily, rice grain-sized amount of toothpaste*.

Oral hygiene for toddlers (2-6 years)

Children two years of age or older should definitely use fluoride toothpaste to prevent tooth decay as the teeth erupt into the oral cavity. Fluoride forms a strong barrier against the acids of bacteria, and provides massive protection for the little teeth.
Don't let your child brush their teeth all by themselves.
As a rule of thumb, only when children have mastered cursive writing are they able to use a toothbrush properly.
Supervise your child while brushing their teeth until they have acquired a good brushing technique, or always brush again. Two minutes of brushing would be ideal. Occasional use of dental floss (there are also simple holders) between the molars or closely positioned front teeth prevents food debris from getting caught between the teeth.

Tips to make brushing teeth easier for kids:

Use a toothbrush that appeals to their children. This brush should have a narrow brush head. An electric toothbrush is always recommended. However, the handling of the manual toothbrush must already sit: Circular brushing movements, each side of the tooth.
Brush your teeth together with your child to be a good role model. This helps your child learn through observation and imitation.
Sing your child's favorite song, tell them a nursery rhyme, or make up funny sayings. This will make the 2 minutes more entertaining.
Parents should pass on to children the influence of diet, eating and drinking habits on oral and general health. Parents can encourage healthy habits by limiting sugary drinks and saying goodbye to bottles and/or sippy cups. Instead, offer healthier foods and snacks.

The age-appropriate fluoride recommendation 2- 6 years: ( Indicated in fluoride content ppm in toothpaste, application frequency and quantity size):

1000 ppm, 2x daily, pea-sized amount of toothpaste*.

Oral care for ages 6 and up

In children at the age of about 6 years, the first permanent teeth become visible in the mouth. Note: Around the age of 6 comes the 6-year molar, which is the last permanent tooth in the mouth. This must be preserved permanently. Slowly, children can be given responsibility for brushing their teeth. However, it must always be checked and the brushing process should be supervised.

Children's oral hygiene from the age of 10

From the age of 10, oral hygiene for children is covered by health insurance once a year. If the child wears a fixed brace until the age of 18, a cleaning can even be performed 2 times a year. With us there is a direct settlement with the SVS and KFA. With all other insurance companies there are different levels of reimbursement.

The age-appropriate fluoride recommendation from 6 years of age: ( indication in fluoride content ppm in the toothpaste, application frequency and quantity size):
1440 ppm, 2x daily, toothbrush head-sized amount of toothpaste.
*according to the guideline of the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Malocclusions in primary and mixed dentition

The first permanent teeth to become visible from the age of 6 are mostly the 6s (1st molar or six-year molar) and the lower and upper 4 front teeth.

Tendencies to tooth misalignments can be easily recognized from them: If jaw or tooth misalignments are already visible now, they can often be solved very easily with removable braces by the age of 10. Jaw misalignments should be corrected early to prevent improper growth and: The greater the crowding is already at the eruption of the teeth, the more difficult is also always the care.

So when teeth erupt in 2nd row, orthodontic treatment should be considered at the right time. There are various options for correcting teeth, from removable braces to invisible braces for children under 10.

For more questions, call or use the option to book an appointment online at the office. Our team is waiting for you for a consultation!