child’s teeth

Encourage savoury tastes wherever possible. However, when eating sweets and chocolate, do so in one sitting rather than spreading them through the day. This is so that children’s teeth are not exposed to sugar for too long.

Fruit juice contains natural sugars that can cause decay. Dilute juice with water and limit it to mealtimes. Milk and water are best between meals. Eating these foods and drinks at mealtimes helps lower the acidity levels in the mouth caused by sugar.

Sugar causes tooth decay. It is not just the amount of sugar in food and drink that matters, but, more importantly, how often there are sugary things in the mouth. Sweet drinks (especially those in a bottle or with a sports cap), sweets and lollipops are particularly bad because the teeth are bathed in sugar for a considerable time.

If your child is refusing to brush their teeth – we’ve all been there – try making it a fun exercise instead of a chore. You could find one of the many short YouTube videos about toothbrushing for them to follow or play their favourite song for them to brush (and dance!) to.

Many children like to feel grown up and independent, so you could try making toothbrushing time a family affair. If you brush your teeth at the same time, they will feel more ‘adult’ as they follow your lead.

Fluoride is important for maintaining a healthy smile, but you should be using the correct level for your child’s age group. Children up to three years old should use a toothpaste with a fluoride level of at least 1,000ppm, after that, we should all use toothpaste that contains 1,350ppm - 1,500ppm. Children should use a pea-sized amount on their toothbrush and babies just a smear.

Regular dental examinations allow your dentist to ensure everything looks healthy and advise if there are any problems that require treatment. At Drayton Dental Care we provide free dental health examinations for children right up until their 18th birthday when a parent joins our practice and attends at least annually.

As soon as your child has teeth that touch, food can become trapped. This is when you should introduce flossing to their dental hygiene routine. It might seem early, but you know what we say, the sooner the better for great oral care habits that last a lifetime!