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Growing up with healthy teeth - A guide to caring for your children’s teeth
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Click on the image to download a PDF copy of this leaflet |
“This is among the best practical advice about the prevention of dental diseases I have seen. It puts the scientific knowledge we have into sensible
everyday use.“
Dr Brian Mouatt CBE, Former Chief Dental Officer, Department of Health, and Consultant in Dental Public Health.
A lovely smile with sparkling teeth looks great and will give a child confidence. Fortunately you can keep them in tip-top condition, so get your children into the good habits outlined in this leaflet, and they will have healthy teeth for life.
This leaflet is designed for parents and carers of children between 2 and 11 years old.
The root of the problem
We all know about tooth decay. It happens when there are more acid attacks than the teeth can cope with. Acid attacks can result from plaque bacteria acting on the sugars in our diet.
Another less well known problem is tooth erosion, where the surface enamel of the tooth is directly dissolved away by acids. These acids can come from our food and drink but also from stomach acids, for example when someone is sick. Erosion can make teeth more sensitive to hot and cold foods and needs treatment if severe.
Fortunately the following simple measures will help to avoid both of these problems.
Brush up that smile!
An adult should supervise or brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, first thing in the morning and before going to bed
Brush twice a day
Teeth need brushing first thing in the morning and last thing at night with a fluoride toothpaste. Children under six should practice cleaning their teeth themselves, but as they do not yet have the physical skills to do a thorough job, it is important that you brush their teeth gently yourself at least once a day. Older children may still need a little encouragement and supervision.
Toothpaste matters
Fluoride works to strengthen tooth enamel against acid attacks. Check with your dentist which type of fluoride toothpaste is best for your child. After brushing, children should spit out but not rinse with water, as the fluoride left in the mouth will provide protection for longer.
Which toothbrush?
A child’s toothbrush needs to be fairly soft, and small enough to reach all the nooks and crannies of the mouth. It should be changed about every three months or as soon as it becomes worn.
What they eat
Any food containing sugars or acid will have an impact on your teeth. Find out how to include them safely
All sources of sugars including packet sugar, fruit sugars, honey and any food or drink containing them can feed the plaque bacteria which cause acid attacks.
Similarly any food or drink containing acids can directly affect teeth. These include fruit juices, squashes, all types of fizzy drinks, fruit, yoghurt, pickles and even tomato sauce!
However, if all these foods and drinks were cut out from the diet, it would become unbalanced and less enjoyable. See below to find out how to include them sensibly so that the teeth can cope.
The way that they eat it
Get into the habit of eating three regular meals and about two snacks a day
Only take water to bed
Eating frequency
Almost every time you eat, your teeth will be affected. The good news is that teeth can cope with acid attacks as long as they have time to recover and repair themselves between bouts of eating and drinking.
Eating five times a day is about right, for example three meals and two snacks. Try to keep sweet foods, soft drinks and fruit juices limited to these occasions. If your child likes frequent drinks, give milk or water at other times. It is also important that children do not hold drinks in their mouths or swish them through their teeth.
Bedtime
During sleep, teeth are especially vulnerable to acid attacks as saliva flow, which repairs tooth damage, slows down. This means any sugar or acid in the mouth will do more harm. So make sure that once your children have cleaned their teeth before bed, they do not have any more food or drink apart from water.
Consult the experts
Find a dentist you like and visit at least once a year for a check up
Don’t wait until your child has a toothache before going to the dentist. Find one who is good with children and go regularly. Use it as a chance to consult an expert if you have any questions or worries about your children’s teeth.
The dentist or hygienist can show you how to brush teeth properly and advise whether your child needs any special protection against decay. Also if you think your child’s teeth are crooked the dentist will be able to tell you what can be done.
Top tips for great teeth
- Brush first thing in the morning and last thing at night with fluoride toothpaste every day
- Well brushed teeth can cope with about five separate eating and drinking occasions a day, for example three meals and two snacks, and still be healthy
- Eat or drink all in one go rather than nibbling or sipping
- No food in bed and only water to drink
- Make friends with the dentist and visit regularly
Published 07/12/98
This leaflet is provided through an educational grant from The Sugar Bureau
6 Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JJ
www.sugar-bureau.co.uk
