Is It Appropriate for a 2-Year-Old to Start Brushing Their Teeth?

Question

A 2-year-old child has never brushed their teeth before. Is it appropriate for them to start brushing? Parents are confused about the timing of teeth brushing for infants and worry that starting too early might not be appropriate.

Answer

For a 2-year-old, parents can guide the child to practice rinsing their mouth after meals and before bedtime. The specific method is to have the child take a mouthful of warm water, close their mouth, puff out their cheeks, and perform the rinsing action, then spit out the water. When the child can rinse correctly and spit out most of the rinse water, it’s time to start teaching them how to brush their teeth. When choosing a toothbrush, opt for a small head, soft bristles, and a cute design that will attract the child’s interest. There are also finger brushes available on the market, which are very convenient for beginners. In the initial stages of learning to brush, it is not necessary to use toothpaste; only start using it when the child can brush their teeth proficiently.