Taking care of your families teeth
Mum brushing childs teeth

How to take care of our teeth

Protecting our teeth from tooth decay, erosion and gum disease will help them to last a lifetime. Brushing teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste helps to prevent dental disease, especially brushing them before we go to bed. 

 

 

Tips for brushing teeth

  • Brush together, make it a joint activity and use lots of praise!
  • If your child likes to chomp on toothbrushes, give them one to chew on while you can use another to clean their teeth and gums!
  • You don't have to be at the the sink to brush your teeth! You can sit on the end of a bed/ or chair, spitting out into a cup or a paper towel- the aim is to get teeth brushed!
  • Don't worry if you only get a limited time to brush your child's teeth, start by brushing the ones you missed last time! Brushed is best!
  • It is recommended not to rinse your mouth out with water after brushing
  • If the toothbrush is looking flat and the bristles are splayed- replace it! 

Other things to remember

  • Milk and plain tap water are the only tooth friendly cold drinks for small children
  • Drinking juice or squash in a bottle is not good for teeth
  • Drinking out of an open top is best for children. Did you know these can be used from the age of 6 months!

  • Dried fruit like raisins are not good for teeth, try and keep these to a meal time instead of snack time!

    More useful resources

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How to brush your teeth
How to brush your teeth information
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Floss and toothbrush

Adults 

It’s recommended that adults clean between teeth with interdental brushes or floss/tape once daily before brushing to protect against gum inflammation.

Use either a manual or a powered (electric) toothbrush. Be sure to clean every surface of every tooth and the gumline (where the tooth and gum meet).

Use a fluoride toothpaste with at least 1350ppm 

Top tips

  • Adults and children are advised not to rinse out with water after cleaning teeth, as this washes some of the fluoride away. Just spit out the foam.
  • Mouthwash is not necessary, unless suggested by your dentist. If using a mouthwash, do not use directly after brushing.

 

0-3 years old grain of rice

Babies and children

Babies and children up to the age of 6 are advised to use a toothpaste with at least 1,000ppm (parts per million) fluoride. This is shown on the toothpaste tube/box. 

Children 3 to 6 years old and adults are advised to use a ‘pea-sized’ blob of toothpaste on the brush.

0-3 year olds need only a blob the size of a grain of rice on the brush.

Sensory Issues

Sensory Issues/ Neurodiverse

People with sensory issues may prefer unflavoured or sweet flavoured toothpaste to the mint flavoured options, ensuring the fluoride level is appropriate to their age. 

There are also triple headed brushes that may be helpful in brushing teeth.

More information on sensory tooth brushes and paste can be found here

Reduce Sugar

Reduce intake of sugary and acidic food

Keeping sugary/acidic food to four times a day and avoiding before bedtime will reduce the risk of tooth decay. 

Consuming only tooth-friendly food and drink in between main meals helps to achieve this. 

Fresh fruit and vegetables are a great tooth-friendly snack however if blended, dried or juiced they become tooth unfriendly.

Dental Check ups

Regular Dental Check-ups

Dental check-ups are important to maintain, as often as the dentist recommends (this will vary from patient to patient). 

Try to arrange a child’s first appointment before their first birthday. 

Search for an NHS dentist here.

Fluoride varnish may be applied to children from the age of 3 by a dental professional which provides increased protection against decay.

Healthwatch Bedford Borough Taking care of your teeth for children

Information for young children to learn about looking after their teeth 

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