Last Updated on 22nd August 2022
Encouraging our children to get into the habit of brushing their teeth for two minutes twice a day – every day – can be challenging, admit the dentists at Evesham Dental Health Team.
But in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, nearly half (43%) of children aged eight have signs of tooth decay, so it’s vital we persevere.
There are lots of free apps for parents to download that can help make brushing fun and adding this extra level of interactivity can help children form better brushing habits.
Some apps include timers or songs that help children stick around for the full two minutes, while others provide fun, instructional videos about brushing technique. The NHS recommends Brush DJ but there are many others available.
Electric toothbrushes can remove up to twice as much plaque as manual brushes, so it could be seen as a good investment for your child to have one. Research by the Oral Health Foundation shows that many children prefer electric toothbrushes simply because they feature a popular character or are in their favourite colour.
Twice daily toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste is important because it removes plaque. If the plaque isn’t removed, it continues to build up, causing tooth decay and gum disease.
Early dental care for children
Evesham Dental Health Team on Broadway Road recommends that children visit the dentist as early as possible; this not only gives them a head start in preventing tooth decay but also allows them to become familiar with visiting the dental team. This will let them get used to the noises, smells and surroundings and prepare them for future visits. The earlier these visits start, the more relaxed children will be.
We advise that our young patients are first seen before the age of one, before or around the time that their primary teeth begin to erupt.
When will my child’s teeth appear?
First (or ‘baby’ or ‘milk’) teeth usually start to appear when your child is around 6 months old. All 20 baby teeth should appear by the age of 30 months.
The first permanent ‘adult’ molars (back teeth) will appear at about age 6, before the first baby teeth start to fall out at about 6 to 7 years old. The permanent ‘adult’ teeth will then replace the ‘baby’ teeth. It is usually the lower front teeth that are lost first, followed by the upper front teeth shortly after.
All permanent teeth should be in place by the age of 14, except the ‘wisdom’ teeth’. These may appear any time between 18 and 25 years of age. But remember, all children are different and develop at different rates. If you have any concerns, please get in touch.
Our dentists will advise parents of the best dental health techniques and dietary habits for the development of perfect teeth. The primary teeth have a bearing on the strength and alignment of adult teeth, so care from a young age is very important.
Visit the Oral Health Foundation’s website or call the charity’s Dental Helpline on 01788 539780 for advice and information about toothbrushing for children.
