Keeping Your Child’s Teeth Healthy
Good oral health is essential for your child’s overall well-being. Here are some simple tips to help keep your child’s teeth healthy and strong:
Brushing Basics
- Brush Twice Daily: Children aged 3-6 should brush their teeth twice a day for about 2 minutes each time. The best times are before bed and at another time during the day. For children aged up to 3, parents or carers should brush their children’s teeth twice daily (start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through, which usually happens around six months but can occur earlier or later).
- Use Fluoride Toothpaste: Choose a children’s fluoride toothpaste with at least 1,000ppm of fluoride. This helps prevent tooth decay.
- Pea-Sized Amount: Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for children 3-6, and only a smear of toothpaste for children 0-2. Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste after brushing and avoid rinsing with water to keep the fluoride working.
Making Brushing Fun
- Guide Their Hand: Help your child learn the correct brushing technique by guiding their hand.
- Use a Timer: Make brushing exciting with an egg timer or a special app (click here for some great recommendations) to time the 2 minutes.
- Be Positive: Turn brushing into a fun activity to encourage good habits.
Regular Dental Visits
- Start Early: Take your child to the dentist when their first milk teeth appear. This helps them get used to the dentist and the environment.
- Stay Positive: Be positive about dental visits to prevent any fear or anxiety.
- Regular Check-Ups: Follow the dentist’s advice on regular check-ups to catch any issues early.
- NHS dental care for children is free – Click here to find a dentist near you.
Fluoride Treatments
- Fissure sealants can be done once your child’s permanent back teeth have started to come through (usually at the age of about 6 or 7) to protect them against decay. This is where the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are covered with a special thin plastic coating to keep germs and food particles out of the grooves. The sealant can last for as long as 5 to 10 years.
- Fluoride varnish can be applied to both baby teeth and adult teeth. It involves painting a varnish that contains high levels of fluoride onto the surface of the tooth every 6 months to prevent decay. Some children may need this more often. It works by strengthening tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.
- From the age of 3, children should be offered fluoride varnish application at least twice a year. Younger children may also be offered this treatment if your dentist thinks they need it.
Following these tips can help ensure your child’s teeth stay healthy and strong as they grow. You can find more advice on the NHS website.