Building your unique oral care kit!

What makes brushing time overwhelming at home?

Is it the toothbrush? The toothpaste? Is it that your kiddo just doesn't open their mouth?

Or is it the worries of "Am I using the right tool"?

Everyone will eventually find the best combination for themselves and their kids, but let's give you some suggestions to start with! Don't forget to scroll to the bottom and see some "Ahhh-ha" suggestions for "Ahhh-ha" moments!

The Basics

Toothbrush

Toothbrushes are essential for oral home care. Choosing the right size could help you be successful from the very beginning. The ideal size is a one where you can't brush more than two teeth at a time. Manual toothbrushes are as good as electric toothbrushes when used correctly. However, if you're not confident how you're brushing or your kiddo insists that they do it themselves, an electric toothbrush could be your life-saver.

There's also another kind of toothbrush that's the "3-sided" toothbrush. It helps you brush all tooth surfaces at once, so you don't have to keep turning the brush to get every nook and cranny separately. This could be a helpful tool when your kiddo can't sit still long enough for you to brush for them.

A all-surface toothbrush (ex. Brilliant Toothbrush) that looks like a mini bottle brush could be a great alternative if even getting in the mouth is a struggle. No matter which way you try to put in the mouth, the bristles can always get to the tooth. It also help clean along the gums gently.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste flavor and foaming texture is one of the common challenges for children with hypersensitivity. Parents often choose to brush without toothpaste, however, this also leaves children unprotected by fluoride which is the main anti-cavity ingredient. Fluoridated toothpaste is one of the most critical factors for oral home care prevention. Children can start using fluoride toothpaste as soon as they have their first tooth. Children under 3 years old should use a smear/rice size, while those over 3 years old should use a pea size.

Different toothpastes you can try:

• Special flavor (ex. Tanner's Tasty Paste Chocolate Flavored Fluoride Toothpaste)

• Unflavoered: Dr. Bob unflavored toothpaste (no flavor, no foaming, but still has the benefit as a fluoride toothpaste!)

• Tartar control toothpaste: If you're bothered by the fast buildup on the teeth, try using the tartar control toothpaste.

Floss

While we all focus on brushing, flossing is essential to prevent cavities from developing in between the teeth. While children already refuse to brush, flossing could be even more challenging. "Technique sensitive" is the most common complaint we received from parents. In this case, why not try flosspicks? Some of them are even coated with fluoride and help you get fluoride protection everywhere!

I will suggest to start with the flosspicks that had a rounded edge, so there are no sharp or pointy parts that could hurt children when they are playing with them. Let them feel it, let them try it between their fingers, start with a gentle introduction to flossing!

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Something Magical for the Ahhh-ha moments

The toothbrush is still too overwhelming? Brushing for your kiddo once a week is already a struggle?

Sponge toothbrush

Maybe we can try to start with something simplier. How about a sponge toothbrush/ oral swab? Even though it's not as efficient in removing plaque in specific areas, it can still be helpful to remove most of the plaque, prevent gum inflammation, and bad breath. Dipping it in the fluoride mouthrinse could also help children get some fluoride exposure.

Mouthrinse

For children that are able to swish and spit, fluoride mouthrinse is a good add-on for their oral home care routine. For children who aren't able to do so, dipping the toothbrush or the sponge toothbrush in fluoride mouthrinse could serve as an alternative on "bad days" when brushing seems impossible.

Washcloths

Are you worried your child might swallow too much toothpaste? You can try to brush for them with fluoride toothpaste and wipe the toothpaste off with washcloths instead of swishing and spitting!

Mouth opener/mouth rest/ teething toy

" He doesn't open his mouth for me." "She's a biter." Do you know there might be a solution for this? Try the teething toys! They serve as a good tool to help children open their mouths to a certain extent when they bite on it, so you can brush for them without risking your own fingers. Chewy toy's designed for children with autism is also a good alternative.