Oral health for children (3 to 11 years)

• Use a small, soft toothbrush suitable for their age.
• Stand or sit behind your child and gently hold their chin to guide the toothbrush.
• Brush in small circles, covering all teeth and gums.
• Let your child hold the brush while you guide their hand.
• Use a mirror so they can see what they’re doing.
• Make brushing fun with songs, videos, or toothbrushing apps.
• Use a 2‑minute timer or brushing song.
• Do not let children run around with a toothbrush in their mouth (risk of injury).

Note: Sugar can harm teeth, so it is important to limit sugary foods and drinks. Also try to limit how often sugar touches your child’s teeth.

Government guidance for daily sugar limits

• Ages 4 to 6: No more than 19g (about 5 sugar cubes)
• Ages 7 to 10: No more than 24g (about 6 sugar cubes)
• Ages 11+: No more than 30g (about 7 sugar cubes)

Tips to protect teeth

• Avoid sugary snacks and drinks (including fruit juice).
• Water and milk are the best drinks.
• Encourage your child to use open cups instead of straws or bottles.
• If your child needs medicine, ask if a sugar‑free version is available.

Visit the Healthier Food Swaps (NHS) page for simple, everyday food swap ideas.

• NHS dental care is free for children under 18.
• Children should visit the dentist twice a year.
• Regular visits help keep their teeth healthy and help them feel comfortable in the dental environment.

Helping your child prepare to visit the dentist

Use:

• positive words
• songs
• games
• child‑friendly videos or books

Fluoride varnish

Fluoride varnish can be applied to both baby teeth and adult teeth.

• From age 3, children should have fluoride varnish twice a year (or more if recommended).
• It helps protect teeth from decay by strengthening enamel.
• Ask your dentist if fluoride varnish has not been offered.

Fissure sealants

Fissure sealants help protect the chewing surfaces of back teeth.

• They can be applied when permanent back teeth come through (around ages 6 to 7, and again around 11 to 14.
• A thin coating is placed on the tooth to protect them from decay.
• Sealants can last up to 4 years.

Why regular dental visits matter

Visiting the dentist from a young age helps because:

• children learn what happens at the dentist, which helps them feel less worried as they grow
• dentists give helpful advice on brushing, fluoride, and caring for your child’s teeth
• problems can be spotted early, including the first signs of tooth decay.
• preventing problems now reduces the chance of pain, infection, or treatment later on.

Making dentist visits a positive experience

Try to keep appointments calm and friendly.

• Bring your child to your own appointments if possible. Watching what happens helps children feel safer and more confident.

Tips to help children and young people feel comfortable

• Use positive, simple language when talking about the dentist.
• Play “dentist” at home using toys or teddies.
• Read books or watch child-friendly videos about dentist visits.
• Bring a comfort item like a teddy, blanket, or fidget toy.
• Give a small reward afterwards, such as a sticker or a visit to the park.

A gentle, child-friendly video showing what happens at the dentist.

Use the find a dentist page to search for dentists around you.

• NHS: Taking care of children’s teeth gives simple, trusted advice on teething, brushing your baby’s teeth, fluoride, toothbrushing tips, and when to take your baby to the dentist.
• West Yorkshire Healthier Together: Oral health includes practical tips, videos, and guidance for parents and carers.
• Tooth Brushing Habit (songs, videos, and routines) has fun videos, songs, and games to help babies and toddlers enjoy toothbrushing. It supports parents to build good brushing routines in an engaging way.
• Autism Tooth Care (support for neurodivergent children) offers sensory‑friendly brushing ideas and practical advice for autistic children or children who find toothbrushing difficult. It includes visual supports, routines, and step‑by‑step strategies.