Go to homepage

Dental care

Dental care for children - tips for healthy children's teeth

Even at a young age, dental care is extremely important. Not only the milk teeth, but also the permanent teeth are particularly sensitive to caries in the first few years. This is because the enamel, which forms a protective coating around the teeth, is only fully mature after about three years. Therefore, oral hygiene should not be neglected in adolescents. Read here about what to look out for when caring for your teeth so that tooth decay doesn't stand a chance.

The right toothbrush for children

Choosing the right toothbrush is an important factor in oral hygiene. Even the very youngest children, from the age of six to eight months, need a toothbrush. As soon as the first milk teeth erupt, parents can get their offspring used to brushing their teeth. The chewing surfaces are cleaned with soft rubber brushes. When the milk teeth are finally present, you can switch to a soft children's toothbrush. With this brush, the little ones can practise brushing their teeth themselves. However, up to the age of about five, parents should always help with brushing, as children's motor skills are often not yet sufficient to ensure thorough oral hygiene. When choosing a toothbrush, make sure it has a non-slip, wide handle that the child can easily hold. The brush head should not be too big and the bristles should be particularly soft. Otherwise, there is a risk of damaging the sensitive teeth.

Electric toothbrushes are also suitable for children over the age of three.

Toothpaste for sensitive children's teeth

Because children often swallow a lot of toothpaste when brushing their teeth, you should use a mild toothpaste with little or no fluoride. Never use the same toothpaste for the whole family. The sensitive milk teeth have completely different needs than adult teeth. In addition, children's toothpastes often taste milder. This can be an additional motivating factor for brushing.

Always use a pea-sized portion of toothpaste. Beware of toothpaste from abroad. The guidelines for the fluoride content of toothpastes are not uniformly regulated. If in doubt, use a little less tooth gel.

Prophylaxis - preventing tooth decay

A healthy mouth and throat starts with the right diet. In addition to a balanced and varied diet, children should especially avoid foods and drinks with a high sugar content. Juices and fruit with a lot of acid should also only be consumed in small portions. Make sure that no snacking takes place in the evening after brushing the teeth. A high intake of calcium is all the more important for healthy teeth. Foods such as milk, green vegetables or mineral water provide your youngest with this valuable building block that strengthens bones and teeth. For children up to the age of three, one glass of milk a day is enough to meet their calcium needs.

A regular visit to the dentist helps to detect and counteract caries at an early stage. You should visit the dentist with your child at least once a year, or better still every six months.