Good oral hygiene starts at a younger age than is commonly thought. Oral hygiene early on and the capacity to acquire the habits to maintain this hygiene during childhood are determining factors for adults to keep their teeth throughout their entire lives. Here we ask the specialists how to instil oral hygiene habits in children. 

“The best way to create good oral habits in children is through their parents” 
Dra. Paloma Tortosa Paediatric Dentist, Valencia 

Well informed parents are the key to the dental prevention of their children. A child’s first tooth erupts between the ages of 6 and 12 months, and the rest do so thereafter. At these ages it is unlikely for a lesion to appear, but it is very important to form the habit. As important as teaching them to eat, sleep, dress themselves, wash their hands... The idea is to find a time for each habit, and the habit for teeth is at night. 

After the night time bottle or after having their baby food between 6 and 12 months of age, teeth are brushed with a medium bristle strength children’s toothbrush (or even with gauze). If the baby has two teeth, those two teeth will be brushed. If the child is 18 months old, upper and lower incisors will likely be brushed, meaning that it is not necessary to wait until the last tooth has erupted (3 years) to brush them, and this should be done every night. What is important is the habit. At first it is a chore for parents because children do not want to, but in a week, when the child sees that the same is done night after night, s/he will understand that this is the way it is, and will accept it. 

It is highly gratifying for parents with 3 year old children for toothbrushing to not be a fight, thanks to having worked on it from the time their children were little, and these also tend to be pretty healthy mouths. 

“Starting visits to the dentist early on is ideal”
 Dr. Juan Ramon Boj Dentist, Barcelona 

Starting visits to the dentist at early ages is the ideal way to create good oral health habits in children. We recommend for teeth to be cleaned from the time they erupt with moist gauze until a toothbrush can be used. Parent involvement in hygiene and diet will help maintain the habits of prevention and hygiene that are beginning to be established in a very positive way. 

“Positive reinforcement, songs and games are also helpful in creating these habits” 
Dra. Marta Llorca Dentist, Las Palmas 

Creating habits such as brushing teeth is difficult in children, because it is hard for them to understand the advantages of good hygiene. This is why it is important to start early, from the eruption of the first tooth. Properly acquiring brushing technique is difficult at early ages, since it depends on the maturity and fine motor skills of each child, so helping them at first is essential, giving them more independence as they grow. 

Also, since children learn through imitation, it is important that they see us parents brush our teeth; soon they will try it themselves. Positive reinforcement, songs and games are also helpful in creating these habits. 

“Habits that are acquired in childhood will be practiced in adulthood” 
Raquel López Soldado Dental Hygienist, Granada 

During a child’s development, it is very important to create habits, that once acquired will be stored in their memory and will be practiced in adulthood. Therefore, it is essential to put into practice a series of habits that the child should identify as pleasant routine rather than an obligation. In order for this to happen, fortunately children always copy adults, who are used as their model. Hence the importance of adults being a good example and making sure that children acquire certain specific habits. 

We should not try to impose health habits, (brushing teeth or the right physical exercise for their age), but rather make them fun. Praising what they learn every day and proper use of a toothbrush will give him/her a sense of worth and ego, and we will have achieved our goal. We must set small challenges like washing hands before each meal and verbally reward this action, so that learning about health will be a part of the child’s daily growth. We need to understand that educating with discipline and instilling a series of rules in the child is important, but that if this is done with comprehension s/he will accept it as his/her own. We must value their efforts and never forget that they are children.