Every parent wants to see their child smile without pain, fear, or future dental problems. Although primary teeth are temporary, their influence on a child’s oral and general health is long lasting. Early initiation of oral hygiene practices, particularly toothbrushing, plays a vital role in preventing early childhood caries (ECC), one of the most common diseases in young children worldwide. ¹ Introducing brushing early helps protect children from avoidable discomfort and builds confidence around dental care that can last a lifetime.

Primary teeth are important for chewing food, speech development, proper growth of the face and holding space for adult teeth. Untreated dental caries can cause pain, infection, poor eating habits and can affect a child’s quality of life. Children who have early childhood caries are also more likely to develop cavities in their permanent teeth highlighting the importance of early preventive care. ³

Oral care should begin before the eruption of the first tooth. Gently cleaning the infant’s gums using a soft, damp cloth helps reduce bacterial growth. ⁴ Toothbrushing should start as soon as the first tooth erupts, which usually occurs around six months of age. Professional guidelines recommend that the first dental visit should take place within six months of eruption of first tooth or by the age of one year. ⁵

Using fluoride toothpaste is important for caries prevention. Systematic reviews suggest that fluoride toothpaste effectively reduces caries incidence in children under six years of age when used in appropriate amounts. ⁶

Recommended toothpaste quantities include

• A smear or rice-grain-sized amount for children under two years

• A pea-sized amount for children aged two to six years

Excessive ingestion of fluoride during early childhood may increase the risk of dental fluorosis therefore, parental supervision during brushing is essential. ⁷

Young children do not have the skills needed to clean their teeth properly. Studies indicate that children require assistance or supervision while brushing until six to eight years of age. ⁸ Supervised toothbrushing has shown to significantly reduce caries incidence compared with unsupervised brushing. ⁹

Frequent exposure to carbohydrates, particularly through night time bottle feeding and sugary beverages significantly increases the risk of ECC. Combining dietary control with brushing twice daily is essential for effective caries prevention. ¹⁰

• Reduces future dental treatment needs

• Lowers healthcare costs

• Improves oral health related quality of life

• Reduces dental anxiety

• Encourages lifelong preventive behaviour

Preventive interventions initiated during infancy have demonstrated sustained benefits into adolescence. ¹¹

Early toothbrushing habit is simple yet highly effective preventive measure that protects children from dental disease. By initiating oral hygiene practices early, supervising brushing, using fluoride toothpaste appropriately and seeking timely professional care, parents can ensure that their child’s primary teeth provide a strong foundation for lifelong oral health.

Parents do not need to be perfect. Consistency, reassurance, and daily habits matter far more than occasional missteps.

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