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Dental health for children aged 3+

Children aged 3 to 6 years

Did you know its advised to start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through? Help give your baby the best start by looking after their teeth by following the following guidance:

  • Brush at least twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
  • Brush last thing at night before bed and at least on 1 other occasion.
  • Brushing should be supervised by a parent or carer.
  • Use children's fluoride toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm of fluoride (check label) or family toothpaste containing between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm fluoride.
  • Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
  • Spit out after brushing and don't rinse – if you rinse, the fluoride won't work as well.

Children aged 7+

  • Brush at least twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
  • Brush last thing at night before bed and at least on 1 other occasion.
  • Use fluoride toothpaste containing between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm of fluoride (check label).
  • Spit out after brushing and don't rinse – if you rinse, the fluoride won't work as well.

TIP: Children aged 7 and over should be able to brush their own teeth, but it's still a good idea to watch them to make sure they brush properly and for about 2 minutes.

For more information please visit Childrens teeth (NHS).