Eco wakes up with fuzzy teeth, and Ravi shows him how to care for them: meeting each kind of tooth, brushing for two minutes with a pea-sized dab, flossing with Mom’s help, choosing happy-teeth snacks, visiting the dentist, and brushing again before bed.
The lesson: brush morning and night, for two minutes, and keep sugary snacks for once in a while.
What your child practices
How long and how oftenTwo minutes of brushing, twice a day, timed with a sand timer.
How much toothpasteA pea-sized dab for ages 3 to 6, put on by a grown-up.
FlossingCleaning between teeth where a brush can’t reach, with a grown-up’s help.
Tooth-friendly choicesWater, crunchy fruit and cheese as everyday snacks. Gummies, soda and lollipops as sometimes treats.
The dentistA calm, friendly checkup, so the first real visit feels familiar.
Toothbrush careOne brush per person, stored upright to dry, and replaced every few months.
A clean toothbrush homeWiping the sink and toothbrush cup after brushing (grown-ups spray, kids wipe), plus a weekly wash for the cup.
What the experts recommend
Brush twice a day, after breakfast and before bed, for two minutes. Children usually need a grown-up’s help brushing until about age 8. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste from age 3 to 6, and a rice-grain smear under age 3. Keep the tube out of reach. (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Start flossing as soon as two teeth touch. (Indian Health Service, Children’s Dental Health Month)
Schedule the first dental visit when the first tooth appears or by age 1, then see the dentist regularly. (Indian Health Service)
Offer water instead of sugary drinks, and limit gummy or sticky sweets that cling to teeth. (Indian Health Service)
Use a soft-bristled brush, store it upright to air-dry, never share it, and replace it every three to four months or when the bristles fray. (American Dental Association)
Keep the toothbrush cup and sink clean
In NSF International’s 2011 household germ study, 22 families swabbed 30 everyday items. The toothbrush holder ranked as the third germiest item in the home, with more germs than faucet handles or light switches, and the kitchen sink ranked second. Coliform bacteria turned up in 27% of the toothbrush holders tested. (NSF International; MDLinx)
Wash the toothbrush cup once or twice a week, in the dishwasher if the maker says it can go in one, or by hand in hot, soapy water. (NSF International)
Wipe the sink, counter and outside of the cup often; a quick wipe after the bedtime brush is an easy habit. The CDC notes that cleaning with soap or detergent removes most germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces, and that homes with young children may need cleaning more often.
Ecolosophy washes away dirt and grime from the sink and counter. Rinse the sink afterward.
Keep every cleaning product out of reach of children and pets. In the book, Mom sprays, Ravi wipes, and the bottle goes back on a high shelf. (CDC)
Cleaning safety
Cleaning products are for grown-ups. Keep them out of reach of children and pets. Avoid eyes. If swallowed or in eyes, call Poison Control 1-800-222-1222.
Made for calm play
No ads, no purchases, and nothing your child types leaves this device.
No timers and no losing. A wrong answer gets a gentle hint and another try.
About ten minutes from cover to promise, and the book remembers where you stopped.
Talk about it afterwards
Can you show me your front teeth and your back teeth?
How long do we brush? Let’s count or sing for two minutes together.
What is your favorite happy-teeth snack?
What do you think a dentist does at a checkup?
Why does everyone need their own toothbrush?
Why do we wash the toothbrush cup every week?
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From Ecolosophy
These stories are free for everyone. Eco is the leaf-heart at the center of everything we make. Look for Eco’s other stories at ecolosophy.com.