A guide to children’s dental care
Healthy baby teeth are the foundation of healthy mouth habits. In this guide I explain in plain language for parents how to brush, how much fluoride toothpaste to use at each age, flossing, sweets and when to come for check-ups.
AuthorDr. Fidan HasanzadePaediatric dentist, treatment under sedation
Brushing properly
Brush twice a day from the day the first tooth appears. Young children cannot brush their teeth thoroughly on their own, so help them until school age.
- Morning and evening, always before bed
- About 2 minutes each time
- A small, soft brush suited to the child’s age
- Do not forget the back teeth and the gum line
Fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride strengthens enamel and lowers the risk of decay. The key is to choose the amount of toothpaste according to the child’s age.
- Under 3: a smear the size of a grain of rice
- Ages 3-6: a pea-sized amount
- The parent should squeeze the paste so the child does not swallow it
- Spit after brushing, do not rinse too much
Dental floss
A brush cannot reach the narrow spaces between teeth, and that is exactly where decay between teeth starts. Floss used correctly does not push teeth apart or create gaps.
- Once the teeth start to touch each other
- Floss picks with a handle are easier for children
- Once a day, in the evening before brushing
- With gentle movements, without snapping into the gum
Sweets and drinks
For decay, how often sweets are eaten matters as much as how much. Frequent sugary snacks during the day keep teeth under constant acid attack.
- Give sweets after main meals
- Quench thirst with water, cut down on juice and fizzy drinks
- Do not let the child fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice
- Sticky sweets stay on the teeth for a long time
Regular check-ups
A tooth that does not hurt is not necessarily healthy. Decay often starts without pain and can only be seen at an examination.
- First check-up: after the first tooth appears, around age one
- Then every 3-6 months
- Pay special attention to the permanent molar that appears at the back at 5-6
- If you see a white spot, come without waiting
Check tooth decay risk
This short test looks at habits around eating, hygiene and past check-ups to give a rough estimate of the risk of tooth decay. Answer 10 questions and you will see the result straight away.
Your answers are calculated only on your device: they are not sent to any server and are not stored.
Question 1 of 10
Low risk
Your habits protect the teeth well.
Keep it up: brushing twice a day, few sweets and a check-up every 6 months. Pay special attention to the permanent molar that appears at the back at 5-6.
Moderate risk
Some habits increase the chance of decay.
Cut down on how often your child has sweets and sugary drinks, do not skip evening brushing and come for a check-up. At an early stage, fluoride varnish can strengthen the enamel.
High risk
The chance of tooth decay is high.
Come for a check-up without waiting. Even without pain, decay may already have started. Together we will make a plan for eating and brushing and carry out any treatment needed in good time.
Risk scale
- Low
- Moderate
- High
Whatever the result, brushing twice a day with the right amount of fluoride toothpaste for your child’s age and check-ups as often as your dentist advises, usually every 3-6 months, lower the risk of decay.
Source of risk factors: Tinanoff, N., Baez, R. J., Diaz Guillory, C., et al. (2019). Early childhood caries epidemiology, aetiology, risk assessment, societal burden, management, education, and policy: Global perspective. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 29(3), 238-248. [PMID: 31099128] | [DOI: 10.1111/ipd.12484]
This test does not make a diagnosis and does not replace an examination. If there is a spot, a hole or pain, see a paediatric dentist whatever the result.
Four rules for toothpaste
Fluoride toothpaste is one of the simplest and best-proven ways to protect against decay. What matters is the right amount for the age and the right habits.
- amount of toothpaste under age 3
- Grain of rice
- amount of toothpaste for ages 3-6
- Pea
- a day, about 2 minutes each time
- 2 times
- do not rinse too much after brushing
- Spit
If a young child swallows the toothpaste
That is why the parent should squeeze out the amount. Fluoride toothpaste in the right amount for the age is safe and lowers the risk of decay.
Simple daily care
A few simple steps are usually enough. The most important thing is to repeat them every day, like a game.
Morning
- Brushing after breakfast
- Fluoride toothpaste in the right amount for the age
- Spit, do not rinse too much
- Water for thirst during the day
Evening
- Floss, if the teeth touch each other
- Brushing with a parent’s help
- No food or sugary drinks after brushing
- Only water before sleep
Scientific sources
The information in this article is based on the following peer-reviewed scientific articles and international clinical guidelines.
- Wright, J. T., Hanson, N., Ristic, H., et al. (2014). Fluoride toothpaste efficacy and safety in children younger than 6 years: a systematic review. Journal of the American Dental Association, 145(2), 182-189. [PMID: 24487610] | [DOI: 10.14219/jada.2013.37]
- Walsh, T., Worthington, H. V., Glenny, A. M., Marinho, V. C., & Jeroncic, A. (2019). Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3, CD007868. [PMID: 30829399] | [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007868.pub3]
- Moynihan, P. J., & Kelly, S. A. (2014). Effect on caries of restricting sugars intake: systematic review to inform WHO guidelines. Journal of Dental Research, 93(1), 8-18. [PMID: 24323509] | [DOI: 10.1177/0022034513508954]
- Hujoel, P. P., Cunha-Cruz, J., Banting, D. W., & Loesche, W. J. (2006). Dental flossing and interproximal caries: a systematic review. Journal of Dental Research, 85(4), 298-305. [PMID: 16567548] | [DOI: 10.1177/154405910608500404]
- Marinho, V. C., Worthington, H. V., Walsh, T., & Clarkson, J. E. (2013). Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(7), CD002279. [PMID: 23846772] | [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002279.pub2]
- Tinanoff, N., Baez, R. J., Diaz Guillory, C., et al. (2019). Early childhood caries epidemiology, aetiology, risk assessment, societal burden, management, education, and policy: Global perspective. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 29(3), 238-248. [PMID: 31099128] | [DOI: 10.1111/ipd.12484]
