Kids’ Dental Care
Frequently Asked Questions about Children’s Dental Care
When should I start cleaning my baby’s gums, even before teeth come through?
It’s best to begin cleaning your baby’s gums in the first days of life. Wiping the gums gently with a damp gauze or a special gum wipe after feeds helps remove bacteria and prepares the mouth for teeth to erupt. Once the first tooth appears, you should start brushing it with a baby toothbrush with soft bristles and a smear of fluoride toothpaste. These recommendations follow paediatric dental health advice used in Ireland and Europe.
How does diet, especially bottles at night, affect my child’s teeth?
Regular exposure to free sugars — even those in milk, formula and juices — is the main dietary factor linked to tooth decay. Sending a baby to bed with a bottle or dipping a soother in sweet liquids leaves sugars in contact with the teeth for too long, leading to what is often called “bottle caries”. To prevent this, avoid sugary drinks at bedtime and don’t leave a bottle in your child’s mouth while asleep. If comfort is needed, water is the safest choice.
What if my child still sucks their thumb or uses a soother? Does it affect their teeth?
Non-nutritive sucking (such as thumb sucking or using a soother) is very common and can be comforting for young children. However, if the habit continues once permanent teeth are coming in (from around 3–4 years old, and especially after 5–6), it can cause misalignment, open bite, or other dental problems. It’s best to gently limit the habit over time, use encouragement, and ask your dentist or GP for advice if it continues beyond the recommended age.
How should baby teeth be cleaned and which products are best at different ages?
From the very first tooth, brushing twice a day with a small-headed, soft-bristled toothbrush is advised. For babies and toddlers under 3, only a smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) should be used. Between 3 and 6 years, a pea-sized amount is right, and you should make sure they don’t swallow it. Children should have their first dental visit by 12 months of age or within six months of the first tooth appearing.
How often should children brush, and up to what age should I supervise?
Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day: once before bed and once during the day, for about two minutes each time. Adult help and supervision are needed until the child has the dexterity and awareness to brush properly — usually between ages 6 and 8. Supervision also ensures the correct amount of toothpaste is used and that every surface of the teeth is cleaned well.
What kind of toothbrush and toothpaste should I choose for each age?
The toothbrush should be designed for children, with a small head and soft bristles. For toothpaste: from the first tooth until age 3, use just a smear (grain of rice size) of fluoride toothpaste. Between 3 and 6 years, use a pea-sized amount. From 6 onwards, children can use the same amount as adults, following their dentist’s guidance. Fluoride is essential, but always make sure your child spits out the toothpaste rather than swallowing it.
Which foods and drinks support good oral health, and which ones cause problems?
Water, whole fruits, crunchy veg and foods rich in calcium and protein (like cheese and yoghurt) support strong teeth and gums. On the other hand, fizzy drinks, shop-bought juices, sticky sweets and lollipops are harmful, especially if eaten between meals. Limiting sugar intake to main meals and reducing snacking makes a big difference in protecting teeth.
What are the most common mistakes parents make with children’s teeth?
Some frequent mistakes include: giving bottles with sugary liquids at night, waiting until there are “enough teeth” before starting brushing, using too much toothpaste or allowing young children to brush unsupervised, relying on “no added sugar” products as safe, and delaying the first dental visit until much later than recommended. Avoiding these habits helps protect your child’s teeth and gives them a healthy start for life.