Oral health
- As soon as the first tooth appears start to brush your child's teeth
- Brush teeth twice a day, last thing at night and at least one other time during the day
- After brushing teeth spit, don't rinse. Rinsing your mouth washes away the fluoride in toothpaste, that helps to strengthen teeth
- For children under three years of age use a smear of toothpaste on the brush. Use toothpaste containing at least 1,000 parts per million (ppm) fluoride
- For children aged three years and above, use a pea-sized amount. Use toothpaste containing at least 1,350 parts per million (ppm) fluoride
- Keep any food and drinks containing sugar to mealtimes only. Reducing both the amount and how often foods and drinks containing sugar are consumed, can help reduce tooth decay
- Tap water and milk are the safest drinks for our teeth
- Take your child to the dentist as soon as their first tooth erupts, around 6 months of age and by the age of one, and then on a regular basis. This gives them a healthy start and help them get used to dental practice visits from an early age.
- Your local health visiting team can offer oral health (opens new window) and toothbrushing advice.
- Your local early years setting can offer oral health and tooth brushing advice
- Health Visitors will discuss oral health and some top tips at your child's 9-12 month check, as part of the First Dental Steps pilot project, and provide an oral hygiene pack to support your child's toothbrushing.
- Big Brush Club (opens new window). For children aged 3 to 5 years ask your local pre-school or school if they are offering the Supervised Toothbrushing Scheme run by The Big Brush Club. This scheme offers daily toothbrushing sessions from within the classroom. Children at participating early years settings and schools will receive toothbrushing kits to use at pre-school / school and to take home.
- elfh (NHS England): Children's Oral Health Advice (opens new window) e-learning - This e-learning programme provides information and advice about children's oral health. It is aimed at parents, expectant mothers, early years healthcare workers, teachers, nurses, GPs and the public.
- To encourage children to brush their teeth, you could use an egg timer or the free Brush DJ app (opens new window). There are also fun videos available for children to brush along to at Big Brush Club: Fun brushing videos (opens new window).
- Try to limit sugary foods and drinks for your family. Some ideas for swapping snacks and healthy recipes can be found at Better Health: Healthier Families - Sugar (opens new window) or Better Health start for life: How to take care of your baby or toddler's teeth (opens new window).
- British Society of Paediatric Dentistry: Resources (opens new window)
- The Oral Health Foundation (opens new window)
- Better Health: Healthier Families - Sugar (opens new window)
- Sugar Smart (opens new window) - sign up to access a range of resources