Oral Health Advice for Children

Toothbrushing

• Brush teeth at least twice a day, including last thing at night before bed

• Children need help with brushing until they are at least seven years old

• Use a small-headed toothbrush with medium- texture bristles

Toothpaste

• For children aged under 3 years brush twice daily using only a smear of family fluoride toothpaste

• For children aged 3+ years use only a pea-sized amount of family fluoride toothpaste

• Spit out the toothpaste after brushing and don’t rinse – this helps to strengthen teeth

• Children must not be allowed to eat or lick toothpaste from the tube

Food and drink

• Limit how much and how often your child has sugary foods and drinks – keep these to meal times only

• Between meals choose sugar-free snacks such as fresh fruit, vegetables e.g. carrot /cucumber sticks, cheese, plain natural yoghurt, bread /toast (not fruit breads), pitta bread, chapattis and milk or water to drink

• Avoid foods and drinks containing sugar at bedtime – nothing should be eaten or drunk in the last hour before bed

Medicines

• Request sugar free medicines

• If sugar free alternatives are not available, where possible, try to give at mealtimes