Children · 2 min read
How to care for your child’s teeth, from the first tooth
Practical, age-by-age guidance for parents on brushing, diet, habits and dental visits.
Supriya Multispeciality Dental Clinic, Published
Baby teeth matter. They help children eat and speak, and they hold space for the adult teeth that follow. Good habits formed early tend to last a lifetime.
Babies and toddlers
- Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, soft cloth after feeds.
- Once the first tooth appears, brush twice a day with a soft, small toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice).
- Avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice.
- Plan a first dental visit around the first tooth or by the first birthday.
Children aged three to six
- Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Help with brushing — most children need supervision until around seven or eight.
- Encourage them to spit out toothpaste rather than rinse heavily.
Food and drink
How often sugar is eaten matters as much as how much. Keep sweets, biscuits and sugary drinks to mealtimes where possible, and offer water and milk between meals.
Habits to watch
Thumb-sucking and dummy use are normal in young children, but if they continue as permanent teeth arrive, they can affect how the teeth and jaws develop. Mouth breathing and grinding are also worth mentioning to your dentist.
This article is general information and isn’t a substitute for advice from a dentist who has examined you. Treatment suitability is determined after an in-person dental consultation.