Guides · Children
How to teach a child to brush: an age-by-age guide
From infancy to primary school — how much toothpaste at which age, who brushes, which brush; practical tips for children who resist.
Brushing starts with the first tooth: a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste until age 3, a pea-sized amount from 3 to 6, twice a day, brushed by the parent. Even if the child tries alone, the parent should do the final brush until age 6–8; manual skill is adequate by 8–10. Games, songs and a 2-minute timer are what work best with children who resist.
The strongest protection against decay in children is regular, correct brushing from the first tooth. If the habit is set early, resistance fades; left late, it turns into a "battle".
0–1 year
Before teeth appear, wipe the gums once a day with a clean, damp cloth. When the first tooth erupts, brush twice a day with a finger brush or a very small-headed soft brush and a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste (1000 ppm). Stop the night bottle.
1–3 years
The parent brushes; the child is on the lap or leaning back against it with the head tilted back. Still a rice-grain amount of paste. If the child wants to hold the brush "themselves", they try first and the parent finishes. Even if it does not reach 2 minutes, touching every surface matters.
3–6 years
Paste goes up to pea size. The child learns to brush but lacks the dexterity; the parent finishes every brush, especially the back teeth and the gum line. Brushing together in front of the mirror, a 2-minute song or a sand timer makes the time fun.
6–8 years
The first permanent molars erupt; being right at the back, they are often missed. The parent supervises or completes the evening brush. Flossing is done by the parent once the teeth start touching.
8 years and older
Most children can brush alone; occasional checks continue. Electric brushes can boost motivation at this age.
For the child who resists
- Don't make brushing negotiable; like meals, it is a fixed part of the routine (same time, same order).
- Give choices: the colour of the brush, the flavour of the paste, "bottom first or top?"
- Let them brush a toy's teeth, then it's the child's turn.
- Keep it short but don't skip; 30 seconds of brushing beats none.
- Praise the effort, not the result. A reward chart works at 4–7.
- Let the child see you brushing your own teeth.
Frequently asked
They swallow the paste. Swallowing the recommended amounts is safe; spitting is learnt around age 3. When to change the brush? Every 3 months or when the bristles splay. Mouthwash? Not recommended under age 6.
The right position for the parent
The easiest method for babies and toddlers: the parent sits and the child lies back with the head in the parent's lap (feet in a second person's lap if available). The mouth is well seen and the head stays still. With an older child, stand behind, support the chin with one hand and brush with the other — similar to the dentist's working position.
Which toothpaste, how much?
- 0–3 years: 1000 ppm fluoride toothpaste, a rice-grain smear. "Fluoride-free baby paste" does not prevent decay.
- 3–6 years: 1000–1450 ppm, pea-sized; teach spitting — the small amount swallowed is harmless.
- 6 years and older: 1450 ppm adult paste, pea-sized.
- Not rinsing after brushing (just spitting) increases the effect of the fluoride.
Choosing a brush
An age-appropriate small-headed, soft-bristled brush, replaced every 3 months. An electric brush can be used from age 3 and boosts motivation in many children; with small children the parent still holds it. Character brushes, apps that sing for two minutes and sand timers make things easier.
"They won't let me brush" — what to do
- Same time, same order: an unchanging routine such as book–brush–sleep before bed.
- Let the child brush a parent's teeth first, then swap (a game).
- In front of the mirror, so the child sees their own mouth.
- Choices: "Which brush?" "Which song?" — not whether to brush.
- Keep it short: start at 30 seconds and build up to 2 minutes.
- Crying and resistance at 2–3 are normal; calm, firm, brief brushing beats skipping.
When to start flossing
When the back primary teeth start touching (2–3 years), the parent cleans between them once a day with a floss pick; children cannot do this themselves until 8–10.
Motivating teenagers
Orthodontics, bad breath and the look of the teeth are concrete reasons for teenagers; plaque-disclosing tablets show the missed spots and teach. Electric brushes and app tracking work at this age. Related: Electric or manual toothbrush? · The first dental visit
This article is for general information only; diagnosis and treatment tailored to you require a dental examination.
A child's first dental visit: when, and how to prepare
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Orthodontics for children: when should the first assessment be?
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What to do when a tooth breaks or is knocked out: emergency steps
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