Cleaning and Protecting Your Children's Teeth

Teeth have to last us a lifetime. Therefore it is important to make sure they are looked after from an early age. To a degree the condition of your teeth and gums will reflect general health, but there is a lot you can do to make sure your children grow up with healthy teeth and keep trips to the dentist to a minimum.

When do Teeth Appear?
Some children are born with teeth already present. Typically teeth will start to come through by the time a baby is six months old. A full set of 20 milk teeth should be present by the time a child is two years old. This is not set in stone and it will vary from child to child.

As teeth appear so early it is worth noting that many baby foods are high in sugar and alternatives should be found whenever possible.

Adult teeth start to appear from around the age of five. For most children this happens a little later. All adult teeth should be in place by the age of 13 to 14. Wisdom teeth appear later if at all.

Teething - Oh Dear!
Teething is a well know problem time with babies and young children. With my children I tried teething rings and similar soothers, but I cannot claim to have found any real winners. You can also try medicines such as Calpol.

What Causes Tooth Decay?
The real villain when it comes to tooth decay is sugar. Greater problems are caused if a child snacks on sugary foods and drinks throughout the day rather than if they have food and drink with high sugar levels once or twice a day. It is a continual bombardment that causes the greatest damage.

What Toothbrush Should I Use?
When a child first starts to have their teeth cleaned use a small headed brush. The bristles should be soft and made from nylon. The brush should be replaced as soon as it starts to show signs of wear and tear. Look out for brushes and toothpaste with the British Dental Health Foundation logo on. This means that claims about the product can be supported.

What Toothpaste Should I Use?
The current recommendation is to use a toothpaste containing fluoride. If you do not wish to do this then there are plenty of alternative toothpastes to choose from. A small smear of paste should be used to start with working up to a pea size amount. As with brushes look out for the British Dental Health Foundation logo.

When Should I Brush?
Standard advice is to brush teeth once in the morning and then once more at bedtime. The recommended method is to use small circular motions. Unless you are confident that your child is very proficient it is best to clean their teeth yourself or supervise closely until they are seven or eight. I would also suggest keeping an eye on how they brush their teeth until they are about eleven or you are sure they are cleaning thoroughly. While they are getting the hang of everything it can be a good idea to allow then to clean their teeth in the morning while you do it at bedtime.

At What Age Should They Visit the Dentist?
After teeth start to appear children are never too young to visit the dentist. An early start gets them used to going to see the dentist. Allowing a professional to check progress is likely to help problems to be identified early and for a child to feel more comfortable in their hands. It is very important for a dentist to check that teeth are being cleaned properly. If they notice any early signs of decay they can also add special protective coatings to your children's teeth. A dentist will also be able to give advice on how to clean, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

To find a dentist in your area take a look at: finding a dentist.

NOTE: The health section of Parenting.co.uk is not to be used as a substitute for your GP; if your child is ill then seek the advice of a qualified doctor or other health professional without delay.

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