From brushing their first tooth to their first trip to the dentist, here's how to take care of your children's teeth. Follow these tips and you can help keep your kids' teeth decay-free.
Children aged up to 3 years
- Start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through
- Parents or carers should brush the teeth.
- Brush teeth twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
- Brush last thing at night before bed and on 1 other occasion.
- Use children's fluoride toothpaste, it contains fluoride
- Use only a smear of toothpaste.
- Make sure children don't eat or lick toothpaste from the tube
Children aged 3 to 6 years
- Brush at least twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
- Brush last thing at night before bed and at least on 1 other occasion.
- Encourage your child to brush their own teeth while supervising them.
- Use children's fluoride toothpaste
- Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
Adapted from: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/taking-care-of-childrens-teeth/
