Top tips to help your child get bright, healthy smiles

Did you know that damaged teeth caused by a bacterium in our mouth can turn sugar into acid? This is the top cause for non-emergency hospital admission in children.

This National Children’s Dental Health Month (1-28 February) we’re sharing some top tips with parents on how to look after your children’s teeth.

To keep your child’s teeth healthy, and maintain those pearly whites, you should:

• Brush their teeth for two minutes, last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste.
• You only need a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and just a smear for the under 3s.
• Spit, don't rinse as this washes the fluoride away.
• Change your child's toothbrush every 2-3 months.
• Use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean between your child's teeth once a day.
• Cut down how much and how often you give sugary foods and drinks to your child, especially between meals – Visit the change4life website for easy sugar swaps ideas.
• Visit a dentist regularly. You can find a local dentist on the NHS website.

Handy dental knowledge that everyone should know!

• You should start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as the first tooth appears and take them to the dentist before their first birthday. Visit Dental Check By One website.
• Children should be helped or supervised whilst brushing until they turn seven years old.
• NHS dental treatment is free for children under the age of 18 or under 19 if in qualifying full-time education.
• Women are entitled to free NHS dental treatment during pregnancy and any treatment commenced before their child's first birthday. Pregnancy is the perfect time to get a check-up.
• If you have a child with additional needs and find toothbrushing difficult or are worried about their oral health, talk to your GP, health visitor, or school nurse about a referral to the dentist for further support.
• Learn more about how Tower Hamlets is supporting good oral health in the borough.