How to maintain your child’s oral health

The condition of teeth and gums impacts every part of our lives from the moment our very first tooth comes through as children. That’s why maintaining your children’s oral health is at the top of your parental care list.

Fortunately, setting up good habits and keeping teeth healthy can begin as early as six months old. From this point onwards, it is up to parents and carers to create positive brushing routines and teach the importance of children’s dental care and oral health. 

Here’s how you can set your child up for relaxed dentist visits, beautiful smiles, and a healthy dental hygiene routine. 

Create a daily brushing routine 

Brushing is one of the most effective ways to keep teeth healthy and prevent children’s tooth decay. 

Done regularly, it removes plaque, a layer of bacteria that forms on the teeth and gums. Not removing plaque can lead to decay or even more serious oral health problems like gum disease.

As they grow, your children need to understand the importance of brushing their teeth, and it’s in your hands to help them adopt this healthy habit. Using the right approach will let your kids set the routine early on and carry them into adulthood.  

When to start brushing and flossing your child’s teeth

Baby teeth will start appearing when your child is around six months old. As soon as you notice teeth growing, you can start a brushing routine using a soft children’s toothbrush.
Parents or carers can begin flossing when two or more teeth begin touching, typically between two and six years of age. We recommend flossing your child’s teeth once a day. 

Brushing guide for different age groups

Children of varying ages require different approaches to oral care to maintain optimal hygiene and health. Follow this guide for brushing techniques based on different age groups: 

• Up to 3 years: Children under three years need their teeth brushed by parents or carers with a grain-sized smear of toothpaste for around 2 minutes.

• 3 to 6 years: Children aged between three and six years need their teeth brushed with a pea-sized smear of toothpaste for around 2 minutes. 

• 7 years and above: Children seven years of age and over should brush their teeth themselves with a pea-sized smear of toothpaste for about two minutes.

Children of all ages should have their teeth brushed twice a day, once during the day and another time before bed. Fluoride toothpaste is safe and recommended for all ages. 

Tips for helping your child brush their teeth

These tips will help you and your child make brushing a fun, engaging, and effective part of their daily routine: 

• Build up their dexterity: If your child is struggling to brush their teeth, you can help them practise their fine motor skills through activities such as playdough modelling, threading, and crafts. 
• Brush together: Make brushing a shared activity by brushing your teeth alongside your child. Doing this sets a good example and lets your child mimic your actions to brush their teeth properly. 
• Play a game: A toothbrushing game will make the routine feel more like playtime for your child. Educational games also help your child learn more about what brushing does and why it’s important. 
• Set a timer: A timer helps your child understand how long they should be brushing their teeth. You can use your phone’s timer or download a fun app such as Visual Countdown Timer to make the experience more engaging. 
• Play music: Add some fun to your child’s brushing routine by playing music or singing along. Music also helps you make sure your child brushes for a longer time without getting distracted. 
• Compliment their skills: Build your child’s confidence and give them some extra motivation by complimenting their brushing skills. Positive reinforcement, such as saying, “You’re doing a great job,” and “You’ve made your teeth look so shiny,” can encourage children and make brushing more exciting for them. 

Make regular dental visits 

Regular dental check-ups help detect issues like cavities, misaligned teeth, and gum problems before they become more serious. Early intervention can stop these problems from getting worse and may reduce the need for more treatments in the future.

Dentists can also provide information regarding proper brushing techniques, diet, and habits that support healthy teeth and gums.

It’s recommended to take your child to the dentist every six months for a routine check-up and schedule your first visit within six months after their first tooth has appeared. These regular visits help keep track of their dental development and ensure that any issues are caught early. 

Your child’s first dental visit: What to expect

When you take your child to the dentist, the visit typically involves a consultation and a thorough examination. During this process, the dentist will check your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw while evaluating their dental development and growth.

You can expect your dentist to introduce themselves to your child and make them feel comfortable to build trust. After the examination, the dentist may give your child a gentle clean to remove any plaque buildup. They may also talk with you about any follow-up care that might be needed.

How to prepare

It’s best for your child to be as relaxed as possible when visiting the dentist.

You can start preparing your child by discussing what they will experience at the dentist beforehand. Books such as Topsy &Tim: Go to the Dentist and Dora Goes to the Dentist, or videos such as The Tooth Brushing Badge will put your child at ease and prevent any surprises from scaring them during their visit. 

We recommend arriving early to avoid feelings of anxiety from being rushed and give them a chance to get used to the smells and sounds of the dentist’s office. It’s also a good idea to schedule their appointment in the morning when your child will likely be more active. 

Maintain a healthy, low-sugar diet 

Diet plays a key role in children’s oral health. A healthy, well-balanced diet with plenty of nutrients can create strong teeth and healthy gums, while an unhealthy, high-sugar, or acidic diet can lead to children’s tooth decay and other issues. 

Best foods for boosting your child’s oral health

Here are the best foods for healthier teeth and gums in children: 

• High-calcium foods such as milk, yoghurt, cheese, beans, and dark leafy greens (kale, collard greens & spinach). 
• Fruit and vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, celery, apples, pears, and raspberries. 

Foods to avoid 

On the other hand, these foods can harm your child’s oral health: 

• Sugary snacks and drinks such as fizzy drinks, chocolate, and sweets, since bacteria in your child’s mouth use sugar as energy and release acid that dissolves enamel. 
• Acidic foods such as citrus fruits, fruit juice, jams or conserves, jellies, and vinegar, which can cause tooth decay and sensitivity.  

Keep in mind that although these foods are bad for oral health, they should not always be avoided. Children can still maintain strong teeth and avoid tooth decay through a balanced diet that includes sugary or acidic foods in moderation.

If children do eat these foods, they should be encouraged to drink water, rinse with water, or brush their teeth straight after to prevent any damage. 

Weaning and oral health

When weaning your baby and introducing solid foods, which should typically start when they are around six months old, you should be mindful of setting your child up for long-term healthy eating habits. 

For example, introducing a nutritious diet while weaning can help your child build a positive relationship with food and lead to lifelong preferences for healthy options. Introducing a variety of textures during weaning also helps your baby’s jaw muscles and aids their oral motor skills as they learn to chew and move food around their mouth. 

Educating your children on oral hygiene 

While parents and carers can control how their children brush their teeth and what foods they eat, it’s still valuable to teach your child about why oral hygiene is important rather than simply enforcing routines. Doing so can help children take responsibility for their oral health instead of reluctantly following rules. 

Again, educational books and videos can help you explain the basics of oral hygiene, such as how brushing and flossing prevent cavities and gum disease, in a fun and relatable way. 

We also suggest celebrating good oral hygiene habits with praise or small rewards and encouraging your child to ask questions about their teeth. That way, you promote critical thinking skills and prompt your children to make informed choices regarding their diets and brushing habits from an early age. 

When to take action regarding your child’s oral hygiene 

So far, this guide has outlined day-to-day practices to follow along with the process of typical dentist visits. But, there are times when you need to take immediate action regarding your child’s oral hygiene, such as:

• Swollen gums

• Complaints about pain 

• Persistent bad breath 

• Injury to teeth or mouth area 

Look out for these signs, and if you notice any, take your child to a dentist as soon as possible.

Otherwise, continue following the practices outlined in this article to help your child develop a lifetime of healthy oral habits and pearly-white smiles.