Healthy teeth are important for eating, speaking, confidence and keeping space for adult teeth. Baby (milk) teeth matter too. This guide shows what parents can do at each stage from infancy to adolescence to protect their child’s teeth. It draws on UK NHS guidance, paediatric dentistry standards, public health sources and international practice.
Key Dental Care Advice for Children of All Ages
- Brush twice a day (including last thing before bed).
- Use fluoride toothpaste at the right strength and amount.
- Limit sugary foods and drinks, especially between meals.
- Do not let your child sip sugary drinks over long periods.
- Make dental visits a normal, positive habit.
- Supervise or help brushing until your child can reliably clean all surfaces.
- Replace toothbrushes every three months or sooner if worn.
- Speak with your dentist about professional preventive treatments (e.g. fluoride varnish, fissure sealants) when they are appropriate.
Dental Care 0 to 1 Year: Before Teeth Appear & First Tooth
Why care early?
Even before teeth appear, bacteria (plaque) can build up on gums. Starting gentle cleaning helps your child get used to oral hygiene. Also, early care helps prevent early childhood decay.
What to do
- From birth, clean your baby’s gums with a soft clean cloth or gauze after feeding.
- Once the first tooth appears (often around 6 months, but timing varies), start brushing twice daily using a very soft, small (infant) toothbrush.
- Use a “smear” (grain-of-rice size) of fluoride toothpaste containing at least 1,000 ppm fluoride (often standard children’s toothpaste).
- Do not rinse out the toothpaste with water after brushing — just ask your child to spit out excess. This helps fluoride remain on the teeth.
- Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice — this can bathe their emerging teeth in sugar overnight.
- Transition from bottle to a free-flow (“open cup”) drink by about their first birthday.
- Schedule the first dental visit: as soon as the first tooth appears or by the time the child is 12 months old, whichever comes first.
1 to 3 Years
Brushing and toothpaste
- Continue brushing twice daily (last thing at night plus one other time).
- Keep using a smear of fluoride toothpaste (≥ 1,000 ppm).
- Parents or carers should brush or assist the child’s brushing.
- Don’t dilute the toothpaste or allow rinsing with water (spitting out is enough).
- Replace toothbrush every three months or when bristles become frayed.
Diet and sugar management
- Offer water or plain milk between meals.
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks to mealtimes.
- Avoid fruit juices, squashes, sweet drinks, and night-time sugary sips.
- Be aware of “hidden sugars” in processed foods like yogurts, breakfast cereals, biscuits.
Dental visits and professional care
- Continue regular dental check-ups as advised.
- From age 3, your dentist may offer fluoride varnish twice a year (or more often for high risk).
3 to 6 Years
Brushing, toothpaste & supervision
- Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste (≥ 1,000 ppm).
- Brush twice daily, last thing at night plus one other time.
- Supervise or help brushing until at least age 7 (or until they can brush all areas well).
- Do not rinse after brushing — just spit excess.
Diet and habits
- Continue to limit sugary snacks and drinks.
- Encourage water or milk at snack time.
- Avoid snacking too often.
Dental care and prevention
- Dental checks continue at least annually.
- Fluoride varnish application, as advised by the dentist.
6 to 12 Years (Mixed Dentition Period)
What changes?
This is when some baby teeth fall out and adult (permanent) teeth come in — especially the “first permanent molars,” sometimes called “6-year molars.” During this period, risk of decay can increase in newly erupted permanent teeth.
Brushing, toothpaste & supervision
- Use a family fluoride toothpaste (often 1,350–1,450 ppm fluoride) in a pea-sized amount, unless your dentist advises otherwise.
- Brush at least twice a day, including last thing at night.
- Continue to supervise or check your child’s brushing until you are confident they clean all surfaces properly. Many children need help until about age 8 or more.
- Do not rinse after brushing — just spit out excess to leave fluoride on teeth.
- From about age 7, your dentist may recommend a fluoride mouthwash (on a different time than brushing) if decay risk is moderate or high.
Use of sealants and professional fluoride
- Your dentist may offer **fissure sealants** on the chewing surfaces of newly erupted permanent molars (often around age 6 or 7) to protect them from decay.
- Continue fluoride varnish applications as needed (e.g. twice a year or more for high risk).
- The interval between dental recalls may vary according to your child’s risk of decay — the dentist will advise.
Diet, habits and guidance
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks, especially between meals.
- Encourage water or milk as main drinks.
- Avoid frequent sipping of fizzy or acidic drinks, as they erode enamel.
- Teach your child not to chew hard objects (ice, pens, hard sweets) which may crack enamel or damage teeth.
- Encourage protective mouthguards for children playing contact sports. (Talk to dentist about suitable kinds.)
12 Years and Older (Adolescence & Permanent Teeth)
Brushing, toothpaste & habits
- Use a fluoride toothpaste (1,350–1,450 ppm, or as recommended by dentist) in a pea-size amount.
- Brush twice a day, last thing at night.
- Rinsing after brushing (if done) should be minimal — encourage spitting excess, not full rinsing. (Check what your dentist recommends.)
- By now your child should be able to brush effectively, but occasional parental checking is helpful, especially for hard-to-reach back teeth or newly erupted molars.
Fluoride, professional care and prevention
- Continue twice-yearly dental checkups (or as your dentist advises).
- Fluoride varnish applications may continue for high-risk adolescents.
- Orthodontic assessment: many children are assessed for braces in early teens. Good oral hygiene is especially important during orthodontic treatment (braces) to avoid decay around brackets.
- Encourage your child to avoid or stop habits like nail-biting, pencil-chewing, using teeth as tools (e.g. opening items).
- Discuss with dentist about whitening or aesthetic requests, but emphasise that natural healthy teeth are priority.
Special Situations & Additional Advice
Children with high risk of decay
Some children have higher risk (e.g. past decay, limited fluoride exposure, special needs, medical conditions). For them:
- The dentist may recommend more frequent checkups (e.g. every 3 or 4 months).
- Higher fluoride toothpaste (e.g. prescription strength) or fluoride supplements may be used.
- More frequent fluoride varnish or other protective treatments may be advised.
- Behavioural support, diet counselling, motivational tools (charts, apps) may help maintain good oral hygiene.
Children with SEND (special educational needs & disabilities)
Some children may find brushing or dental visits stressful. You can help by:
- Talking in advance (social stories, pictures) about what to expect.
- Visiting the dental surgery ahead of time, meeting staff, letting the child become familiar.
- Letting your child bring a comfort object (toy, blanket).
- Working with a dentist experienced in behaviour management or specialised care.
- Using adaptive toothbrushes (e.g. with larger handles, angled heads) if needed.
Dental emergencies and trauma
Sometimes accidents happen. Here are basic steps:
- For a knocked-out baby tooth, generally do **not** replant; contact dentist for advice.
- For a knocked-out permanent tooth (in older child): pick it up by the crown (not root), rinse gently if dirty, and try to reinsert into socket (if possible) or keep in milk or saline, then see dentist immediately (within 1 hour if possible).
- For a chipped tooth: rinse and save fragments, see dentist promptly.
- For pain or swelling, contact your dentist or NHS 111 for urgent advice.
Answers to Common Parent Questions (FAQs)
When should my child see a dentist for the first time?
By the time the first tooth appears, or no later than their first birthday. This helps the child get used to the dental environment.
How much toothpaste is safe?
Up to age 3: a smear (grain-of-rice size) of at least 1,000 ppm fluoride toothpaste.
Ages 3–6: pea-size amount (same strength).
Older children: pea-sized with standard children/family fluoride toothpaste (often ~1,350–1,450 ppm), unless advised otherwise by dentist.
My child dislikes brushing — what can I do?
- Make it fun: use a timer, sing a brushing song or use a brushing app (e.g. Brush DJ).
- Let them pick the toothbrush (within safe limits) or flavour of toothpaste.
- Brush together — children often mimic parents.
- Use sticker charts or small rewards for consistency.
- If resistance continues, talk to your dentist for behaviour strategies or alternative tools.
Is dental care for children free?
In the UK, NHS dental care for children is generally free.
Do baby teeth really matter if they will fall out?
Yes. Baby teeth help with chewing, speech, guidance of permanent teeth, and maintain space. Decay in baby teeth can lead to pain, infection or damage to permanent teeth.
How often should I take my child to the dentist?
Most children visit every six months, but this can vary depending on their oral health risk. The dentist will advise the best interval.
When should sealants or varnish be used?
Fluoride varnish is often offered beginning around age 3 (twice a year) and more frequently if risk is higher.
Fissure sealants are often applied to permanent back molars soon after they erupt (often around age 6 or 7) to seal grooves and prevent decay.
What about braces and orthodontics?
Orthodontic assessments often begin in early teens. Good oral hygiene is critical during braces to avoid decay. Use extra cleaning aids (interdental brushes, flossers) as recommended by your orthodontist or dentist.
Summary: A Stage-by-Stage Checklist
Here’s a quick checklist by age:
- 0–1 yrs: gum cleaning, first tooth brushing, first dentist visit.
- 1–3 yrs: brush twice daily with smear, no sugary sips, regular dental visits.
- 3–6 yrs: pea-size fluoride paste, parental supervision, varnish applications.
- 6–12 yrs: mixed dentition, monitor adult teeth, use sealants, maintain diet control.
- 12+ yrs: full permanent dentition, possible orthodontics, strong habits.
If you ever have worries — tooth pain, swelling, trauma, or your child seems at high risk — contact your dentist promptly rather than waiting. Good habits established early give lifelong benefits.
Note: This guide is general. Always follow advice from your child’s dentist or health provider.