Getting your kids off to school in the mornings can be a rush, and unfortunately, many children will head off to school without a clean, healthy mouth. Worryingly, more than a few children begin their school lives with tooth decay, a completely avoidable disease.
Here are some simple steps to make sure your child’s teeth receive top marks:
- Brush their baby teeth as soon as they come through. Book your child’s first dental appointment by age 1 to check everything is okay. You’ll also get lots of helpful advice from us on how to care for your child’s teeth.
- Make sure your child brushes their teeth for two minutes twice a day, preferably first thing in the morning and last thing at night using fluoride toothpaste. Supervise your child until you are confident that they can be trusted to brush for the full two minutes, usually around age 7.
- Let your child choose a toothpaste flavour they like, but make sure it is fluoridated and preferably has the seal of approval from the Australian Dental Association.
- They can also choose their toothbrush, but ensure it has a small head and soft bristles, and replace it regularly.