Children's Oral Hygiene
As a dentist, we often get asked about a child's dental hygiene and oral care. What is the best age to start brushing? When should a child brush independently? When should they visit a dentist? Here are some useful tips to help maintain your child's dental health:
- As soon as your baby's first milk tooth appears, start brushing it with fluoride toothpaste to prevent decay. At this stage, brushing is done by the parent.
- Children can use a fluoride toothpaste containing 1,350–1,500 ppm, but they should be supervised until age seven to ensure they don’t swallow the toothpaste.
- For children under three, only a smear of toothpaste is needed, while children aged three to six should use a pea-sized amount.
- Brush your child’s teeth or have them brushed by an adult at least twice a day, including just before bedtime.
- Encourage your child to spit out excess toothpaste rather than swallowing it; avoid excessive rinsing immediately after brushing to maintain fluoride benefits.
- By age seven or eight, your child should ideally start brushing independently, though supervision is still advised to ensure they brush effectively for two minutes.
- Choose a toothbrush and toothpaste that your child likes to make brushing more enjoyable and encourage good habits.
Taking your child to the dentist:
When? When the first milk teeth appear.
Why then? Early visits help your child become familiar with the environment and the dentist, prevent decay, and allow for early detection of any oral health issues.
Make dental visits fun and positive to ease any anxiety your child may have.
What our patients say
Nobody likes going to the dentist. I hadn't been for a few years following a harrowing experience at a previous dentist!
Saw this new practice had opened and plucked up courage to make an appointment. First impressions good - tastefully furnished and friendly lady on reception. Informal chat with Rikki the dentist put me at eas…Read full review
Nobody likes going to the dentist. I hadn't been for a few years following a harrowing experience at a previous dentist!
Saw this new practice had opened and plucked up courage to make an appointment. First impressions good - tastefully furnished and friendly lady on reception. Informal chat with Rikki the dentist put me at ease straight away. Excellent job of cleaning my teeth getting rid of the plaque causing me gum problems and recommending how I could keep my teeth in good condition. Since my visit over a month ago my gum problems, bleeding and soreness have completely gone.
Decided to invest in teeth whitening. Not cheap but well worth the investment. I have had many compliments and I'm only half way through the treatment! Would highly recommend this service!
Also taken my 11 year old son here - he was very happy too!
Have recommended "The Dentist" to friends and neighbour's Support your local business and community!
I am happy to personally support the staff here and hope Park Hall and surrounding area's will do so also.
Angela Pearson (Mrs)
I would recommend this dentist to anyone if your nervous about visiting a dentist like I was then this is the dentist to call !! Ricky is such a lovely person and he really makes you feel at ease !! Infact every one who works there from the hygienist to Ellie the receptionist are brilliant ! Make an appointment trust me you'll w…
Read full review
I would recommend this dentist to anyone if your nervous about visiting a dentist like I was then this is the dentist to call !! Ricky is such a lovely person and he really makes you feel at ease !! Infact every one who works there from the hygienist to Ellie the receptionist are brilliant ! Make an appointment trust me you'll wonder why you were so scrared 😊
I've been going to this dentist for almost a year now initially it was just to clean my teeth and do regular check ups and I was really happy with how kind everyone was and the quality of the treatments. After a while I wanted to do teeth whitening but didn't know anything about it or the process. I had a consultation with them …
Read full review
I've been going to this dentist for almost a year now initially it was just to clean my teeth and do regular check ups and I was really happy with how kind everyone was and the quality of the treatments. After a while I wanted to do teeth whitening but didn't know anything about it or the process. I had a consultation with them and they ran through the treatment, cost and everything I needed to know. After a few weeks of using the gels my teeth were considerably whiter and I was receiving compliments from my family and friends on my smile. After a while they suggested I consider veneers for two pegs on the top of my teeth, they also do a monthly instalment and after a few weeks considering it I decided to do it and was very happy with the results. It looks very natural and matches my teeth perfectly and made me a lot more confident with my smile and was getting compliments from a lot of people shortly after getting it done. Would definitely recommend coming here everyone is very welcoming, friendly and professional and I've never had any complaints with any of the treatments
Ready to talk it through?
Book online or call — we'll give you clear options, prices up front, and no pressure.
Send us a message
Tell us what you need and we'll get back to you. For urgent pain or swelling, please call 01922 624900.