Looking after your child's teeth from an early age can help prevent tooth decay and establish good habits that last a lifetime. Milk teeth are important too – they help children eat and speak and hold space for their adult teeth.

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🪥 Looking after your child's teeth

From the first tooth to age 3

Start brushing as soon as your baby's first tooth appears.

• Brush twice a day – last thing at night and once more during the day.

• Use a small, soft toothbrush.

• Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste containing at least 1,000ppm fluoride.

• Help your child get used to brushing as part of their daily routine.

• Encourage them to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallowing it.

Ages 3–6

• Brush twice a day for around 2 minutes.

• Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste containing 1,000–1,500ppm fluoride.

• Encourage your child to brush their own teeth, but help or supervise them until at least age 7.

• Brush last thing at night and once more during the day.

• Encourage them to spit out the toothpaste and don't rinse with water afterwards.

Age 7 and over

Children should continue brushing twice a day for around 2 minutes using fluoride
toothpaste.

From age 7, most children can brush their own teeth, although it is still worth checking that they are brushing thoroughly.

Toothpaste containing 1,350–1,500ppm fluoride is recommended for children aged 7 and over.

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⭐ Top tip

The bedtime brush is particularly important.

Brush your child's teeth last thing at night and don't rinse afterwards, so the fluoride stays on their teeth and helps protect them.

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🍬 Sugar and healthy teeth

Sugar is one of the main causes of tooth decay. It's not just the amount of sugar your child has that matters – how often their teeth are exposed to it matters too.

Try to:

• Keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes.

• Choose water or milk as everyday drinks.

• Avoid sugary drinks in bottles or cups, particularly at bedtime.

• Keep sweets, chocolate, biscuits, cakes and other sugary foods as occasional treats.

• Avoid adding sugar to food or drinks.

• Remember that fruit juice, smoothies and dried fruit can also contain a lot of sugar.

For babies and young children, water and milk are the best everyday drinks. Fizzy drinks and other sugary drinks can damage teeth and should be avoided.
 

👶 Teething

Teething usually starts at around 6 months, although every child is different.

Your baby may have:

• sore or tender gums

• a strong urge to chew

• dribbling

• difficulty settling

• increased fussiness

A chilled teething ring or something safe to chew can help soothe sore gums.

If your baby seems to be in pain, speak to a pharmacist or healthcare professional about suitable pain relief.

Remember: teething should not usually make your baby very unwell. If they have symptoms that concern you, don't assume they are simply caused by teething.

 

🦷 Going to the dentist

It's a good idea to take your child to the dentist when their first milk teeth appear, or before their first birthday.

Early visits help children become familiar with the dentist and allow problems to be spotted early. Your dentist can also give you advice about brushing, diet and preventing tooth decay.

NHS dental care for children

NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18, or under 19 if they are in full-time education in England.

Your dentist will advise you how often your child should have a check-up.

 

💜 Helping your child feel comfortable

Some children find the dentist worrying, particularly if they don't like unfamiliar environments, sounds or sensations.

It can help to:

• Talk positively about going to the dentist.

• Avoid using words that might make the dentist sound frightening.

• Read books or watch child-friendly videos about visiting the dentist.

• Let your child know what to expect.

• Tell the dental team if your child is particularly anxious or has additional needs.

 

🦷 Common teeth & mouth problems

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Tooth decay

Tooth decay can cause white, brown or black marks on the teeth and may eventually lead to holes, sensitivity or toothache.

If you think your child has tooth decay, arrange a dental appointment.

 

Toothache

Toothache can have several causes, including tooth decay, an infection or a damaged tooth.

If your child's toothache is severe, persistent or affecting eating or sleeping,
contact a dentist.

 

Sore or bleeding gums

Gums that are painful, swollen or regularly bleed when brushing should be checked by a dentist, particularly if the problem continues.

 

Mouth ulcers

Mouth ulcers are small, painful sores inside the mouth and are common in children. They usually get better on their own.

If an ulcer lasts for more than 3 weeks, keeps coming back or is particularly large or painful, it should be checked.

 

Chipped, broken or knocked-out teeth

Accidents and falls can damage children's teeth.

If your child damages a tooth, seek dental advice as soon as possible. Some dental injuries need urgent assessment and treatment.

 

Teeth that look unusual

Sometimes children's teeth may have unusual colouring, marks, grooves, changes in shape or may not appear when expected.

If you are concerned about how your child's teeth are developing,
speak to your dentist.

 

🚨 When should I seek urgent help?

Contact a dentist urgently if your child has:

• severe toothache

• significant swelling around the mouth or face

• a dental injury

• a knocked-out or badly damaged tooth

• bleeding from the mouth that will not stop

If your child has severe swelling that is affecting their breathing or swallowing, seek emergency medical help.