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