Brushing a child’s teeth properly takes about two minutes, twice a day. Doing it well is harder than most parents expect, particularly when the child in question doesn’t want to cooperate. The good news is that effective technique is simple once you know what you’re doing.
This guide covers what to use, how to do it, when to start letting the child take over, and what to do when your toddler clamps their mouth shut. As part of our children’s dental care at our practice, we run through this with parents at almost every appointment, because brushing technique is the single biggest predictor of whether a child will need fillings. NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18 in England.
The basics: when to start, how long, how often
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, usually between six and ten months. Brush twice a day, with the most important brush being the one before bed. The morning brush is also important, but bedtime is non-negotiable because saliva flow drops overnight, leaving teeth more vulnerable to decay.
Each session should last around two minutes. That sounds short until you’ve tried to keep a toddler still for it. A small kitchen timer, sand timer, or two-minute song works well.
Brush twice a day, every day, no exceptions even when they’re tired. Especially when they’re tired.
What toothpaste to use
The NHS guidance is clear on fluoride concentration by age, and it’s worth knowing the numbers because they appear on the toothpaste tube:
- Under 3 years: a smear of toothpaste containing at least 1,000 ppm fluoride
- 3 to 6 years: a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing 1,350 to 1,500 ppm fluoride
- 7 years and older: a pea-sized amount of standard family toothpaste (1,350 to 1,500 ppm)
“Children’s toothpastes” sold in supermarkets often contain less fluoride than recommended. Check the back of the tube. If it’s below 1,000 ppm for a child under three, it’s not strong enough. Many “first teeth” toothpastes fall into this gap.
The flavour matters less than the fluoride content. If your child hates mint, fruity flavoured toothpastes with the right fluoride level are perfectly acceptable. The NHS baby teeth care guidance confirms this.
The technique that actually works
Most adults brush in a sweeping side-to-side motion, which is fine for adult teeth but inefficient for children. The recommended technique for kids is small, gentle circles, holding the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline.
Step by step:
- Position your child so you can see clearly into their mouth (more on this below)
- Apply the right amount of toothpaste (smear or pea, depending on age)
- Brush the outer surfaces of all teeth, top and bottom, in small circles
- Brush the inner surfaces, the same way
- Brush the chewing surfaces using a back-and-forth scrubbing motion
- Encourage your child to spit out, but not to rinse with water
That last point trips a lot of parents up. Rinsing with water immediately after brushing washes the protective fluoride off the teeth. Spit, don’t rinse. This is sometimes summarised as “spit don’t rinse” and it really does make a measurable difference.
Position matters more than the toothbrush. For children under seven, the brushing position is half the battle. The most effective position varies by age:
| Age | Best position | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 18 months | Lying back on your lap, head supported | You can see all teeth clearly, the child can’t squirm away |
| 18 months to 3 years | Standing in front of you, head tilted back, or lying on the bed | Provides clear visibility and gentle control |
| 3 to 6 years | Standing in front of a mirror, you behind them | Child sees the brushing, you have full access |
| 6 to 8 years | Same as above, but with the child taking the lead first | Builds independence, you finish off |
| 8 years and older | Independent brushing, you spot-check | By this age most children have the motor skills |
When can your child brush their own teeth?
Children should not brush unsupervised until they’re at least seven, ideally older. Even then, an adult should check the result a few times a week. The reason is partly motor skills (children younger than this struggle with the dexterity required to clean back teeth properly) and partly motivation (they will skip bits, especially when tired).
A useful rule: if a child can write neatly enough to be readable, their dexterity is probably good enough to brush effectively. Below that, they need help.
Worth knowing: even from age seven, plaque-disclosing tablets (chewable tablets that dye plaque pink for a few minutes) are a brilliant teaching tool. Used once a week after brushing, they show your child exactly where they’ve missed. Most pharmacies in Essex stock them or can order them in.
What to do when your child refuses
Brushing battles are normal. Almost every parent goes through a phase, often around age two or three, when the child clamps their mouth shut at the sight of a toothbrush. Here’s what tends to work:
- Sing a two-minute song they like, the same one each night, so brushing becomes ritual
- Let them brush yours first, then swap
- Use two toothbrushes: they hold one, you use the other
- Brush in front of a mirror, with their toy also “having a brush”
- Stay matter-of-fact. Don’t bargain, don’t bribe heavily, don’t skip
What doesn’t work: forcing the issue with a screaming toddler. If they genuinely refuse, calmly persist with at least getting the toothbrush in for thirty seconds, then move on. A short, calm brush every night beats a long, traumatic one twice a week. Consistency wins.
Brushing battles almost always end before the child turns five. Don’t lose perspective during the difficult months.
Brush type, flossing, and other practicalities
The electric vs manual question comes up a lot. Both work, if used properly. Electric toothbrushes are slightly more effective at plaque removal in adult studies, and the same broadly applies to children. The main reasons to consider an electric brush for a child include:
- Better timing (most have a built-in two-minute timer)
- Less effort needed, the brush does the circular motion
- Some children find them more engaging
- Useful for children with limited dexterity, including those with additional needs
A manual brush used well beats an electric brush used badly. Don’t feel obliged to spend £40 on a child’s electric toothbrush if a basic small-headed manual one fits the bill.
On flossing: once any two of your child’s teeth are touching (i.e. there’s no gap between them), flossing or interdental cleaning becomes useful. For most children this happens between ages three and four for the back baby molars. Floss picks designed for children, often with a small handle, are easier than string floss. You don’t need to do it every night. Two or three times a week is fine for children, with a focus on the back teeth where food gets trapped.
Booking a hygiene check for your child
If you’d like a hands-on demonstration of brushing technique for your child, our team is happy to show you in person at a routine visit. We use disclosing dye and a hand mirror so the child can see exactly what they’re missing.
To book a children’s check-up at Westcliff Dental Practice, please call 01702 344 500. We’ll set aside time for proper brushing instruction as part of the visit.
