Parents must master the correct brushing technique. Regarding positioning, it is recommended to have the baby lie on their back across the parent's lap; the parent should gently steady the baby's head with one hand while using the other to brush the teeth gently at a 45-degree angle. The Modified Bass technique is the recommended brushing method; parents must provide full assistance throughout the process to ensure that each tooth surface is brushed 8 to 10 times. It is recommended to use a fluoride toothpaste formulated for children-in an amount the size of a grain of rice or a pea-provided that its ingredients comply with the GB8372 standard; for children under 3 years of age, a fluoride-free, swallowable toothpaste may be used instead. Each brushing session should last no less than 2 minutes (or no less than 1 minute for children under 3); using an electric toothbrush equipped with 30-second quadrant timers and a 2-minute automatic shut-off feature can help ensure adequate brushing duration. Brushing should be performed twice daily-once in the morning and once at night-and no food should be consumed after the nighttime brushing.
Once all primary teeth have fully erupted, dental floss may be introduced to clean the interproximal surfaces; plaque-disclosing agents can also be used to verify the effectiveness of the cleaning. For children under 2 years of age, the use of a finger-brush or a silicone training toothbrush is recommended to help establish a brushing routine; for children under 6 years of age, parental assistance is required for cleaning.
