Ready Steady Smile
Top Tips for Teeth
Every child deserves a happy healthy smile.
Remembering a few simple things keeps us all smiling!
Two minutes, twice a day
As soon as their first tooth arrives, brushing twice a day keeps decay and pain away. Bedtime brushing is important as it protects teeth the most.
One toothpaste for the
whole family
Fluoride toothpaste is the best for healthy smiles. Look on the pack or tube to make sure it has at least 1350ppm to 1500ppm of fluoride.
Just a dab until two, then a pea when three
Only a small amount of the toothpaste is needed for brushing. A dab of toothpaste is enough for children under 3 years old, then a pea-sized amount aged 3 and up.
Help them brush
Children need encouragement and help brushing their teeth until 7 years old, to make sure every tooth has been cleaned.
No need to rinse
After brushing, spit out, don’t rinse. Give the fluoride longer to do its job protecting teeth.
Skip sugary snacks between meals
Over time sugary food and drinks can harm teeth, causing pain and decay. This food should only be given at the same time as a meal.
Water and milk are kind to teeth
Drinking tap water and milk keeps you healthy, and are the only drinks that keep smiles happy.
Free flow cups from six months
Moving on to an open or sippy cup from 6 months old, gives children the best start for healthy teeth.
Books to read together
Songs you can try singing together…
