Oral Hygiene At Home

Some children, especially those with oral sensitivities, may find regular toothbrushes uncomfortable.

Soft‑bristle or silicone toothbrushes can feel gentler.
These brushes can help your child slowly get used to the feeling of brushing.

Many baby or specialist toothbrushes have small silicone bristles, which can make brushing easier to tolerate.

Mint toothpaste can taste strong or “burning” for sensitive children.

You can choose child‑friendly flavours like bubble gum, berry, or vanilla.

Some children experience sensory overload from toothpaste taste or foam.
If this happens, choose unflavoured and non‑foaming toothpaste.

After brushing, your child should spit out extra toothpaste but not rinse, rinsing washes away fluoride, which protects teeth.

Many children find visual supports helpful.
You can use:

• wall charts

• calendars

• whiteboards

• laminated routines

Try to choose a regular time for brushing each day.

You can also create a small area where your child keeps their toothbrush and special supplies.

Toothbrushing is a strong sensory experience.
Many children with sensory sensitivities find it difficult.

Ways to Support Sensory Needs During Brushing

These strategies may help your child feel more comfortable:

• use a soft flannel to gently clean teeth if brushing feels too strong

• apply gentle pressure to the teeth and gums to reduce sensitivity

• use very mild‑flavoured toothpaste

• use firm, steady pressure on the cheeks or jaw (pressure touch can be calming)

• stand behind your child to support balance and body control

• try an electric toothbrush — some children find the vibration calming

• try gentle joint compression to the head, neck and shoulders before brushing (only if taught how to do this safely)

Other helpful ideas:

• encourage your child to drink water often to wash away food

• use a footstool to help them reach the sink

• use a pump‑style toothpaste dispenser if squeezing is difficult

Adapted from Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration by Ellen Yoch, Paula Aquilla and Shirley Sutton.

Children with dyspraxia or other fine‑motor difficulties may find toothbrushing challenging.

They may struggle to hold the brush, angle it correctly, or squeeze toothpaste.

These ideas can help:

• Use an electric toothbrush to reduce complex hand movements.

• Ask your child to keep the brush still on each tooth before moving on.

• Use the “count to two” strategy: hold on each tooth for 1–2 seconds.

• Practise regularly — brushing gets easier with routine.

• Use a toothpaste pump for easier dispensing.

Different toothbrushes work for different children with dyspraxia.
Try a few types and see which your child finds easiest to use.

(The next section contains ideas your child can explore.)

Make Toothbrushing Enjoyable

Toothbrushing can feel stressful for children with motor challenges.
Making it fun can reduce anxiety.

You could:

• play music

• sing a song

• create a simple brushing game

• build a small fun ritual into the routine

More ideas

Milk teeth are the first teeth babies get.
They start forming before birth and usually appear between 6 and 12 months.

Signs Your Baby Is Teething

Some babies show no symptoms. Others may show:

• red or sore gums

• a mild temperature below 38°C

• one flushed cheek

• a rash around the mouth

• rubbing their ear

• extra dribbling

• chewing on objects

• being more unsettled

• sleeping less well

By age 3, most children have a full set of milk teeth.
Healthy baby teeth help adult teeth grow straight and strong.

Most children begin losing milk teeth at 5 or 6.
The 20 baby teeth fall out one by one and are replaced by adult teeth.

Losing the first tooth at age 4–7 is usually normal.
But if a tooth falls out before age 4, speak to a dentist.

If your child is 7–8 and still has all their baby teeth, a dental check may be helpful.

Encourage your child to gently wiggle loose teeth — do not pull them early, as this can cause pain or infection.

If your 6–7‑year‑old has pain at the back of their mouth, it may be their first permanent molars coming in.
These appear directly (there are no baby teeth in that area).

Most children have all their adult teeth by age 12, except wisdom teeth, which usually appear around 18–20 years.