Children’s Oral Care

Frequently Asked Questions about Children’s Dental Hygiene

When should I start cleaning my baby’s gums, even if they don’t have teeth yet?

You should begin cleaning your baby’s gums from the very first days. Gently wiping the gums with a damp gauze pad or a special gum wipe after feeds helps remove residue and bacteria, preparing the mouth for tooth eruption. Once the first tooth appears, it’s important to start brushing it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste. These recommendations are supported by children’s dental health guidelines and paediatric associations.

How does diet, and especially the night-time bottle, affect my child’s dental health?

Frequent intake of free sugars — including those found in milk, formula and juices — is the main dietary factor associated with tooth decay. Putting a baby to bed with a bottle or a dummy dipped in sugary liquids prolongs sugar contact with the teeth and increases the risk of what is known as “bottle caries”. For this reason, it is recommended to avoid sugary drinks and not leave the bottle in your child’s mouth during sleep; the safest option is to offer water if they need comfort.

What if my child still sucks their thumb or uses a dummy? How does it affect their teeth?

Non-nutritive sucking (such as thumb sucking or dummy use) is common in infants and is often a source of comfort. However, if the habit continues when permanent teeth start coming through (around 3–4 years, and especially at 5–6), it may cause changes in tooth position, an open bite or other alignment problems. It’s best to gradually limit the habit, use positive reinforcement, and consult your paediatrician or paediatric dentist if it persists beyond the recommended age.

How should milk teeth be cleaned and which products are best at each age?

From the eruption of the first tooth, it is recommended to brush twice a day with a child’s toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles. For babies and children under 3, only a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) should be used. From age 3 to 6, the recommended amount is about the size of a pea, always ensuring they don’t swallow it. The first dental visit should be scheduled around 12 months of age or within six months of the first tooth appearing.

How often should children brush their teeth and until what age should an adult supervise?

Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day: always before bedtime and once more during the day, for about two minutes each time. Adult supervision is necessary until the child has enough manual skill and responsibility to brush effectively, which usually happens around ages 6–8. Supervision ensures that the right amount of toothpaste is used and that all tooth surfaces are properly cleaned.

What type and amount of toothpaste and toothbrush are best for each stage of childhood?

The toothbrush should be child-sized, with a small head and soft bristles. Regarding toothpaste: from the first tooth until age 3, a smear (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste is enough. Between ages 3 and 6, the right amount is about the size of a pea. From age 6 onwards, the normal adult amount can be used, always following the dentist’s advice. The key is to ensure the toothpaste contains fluoride and to monitor that the child does not swallow it.

Which foods (and drinks) help and which harm children’s oral health?

Water, whole fruits, raw vegetables and foods rich in calcium and protein, which strengthen teeth and gums, are beneficial. On the other hand, sugary drinks (such as shop-bought juices and fizzy drinks), sticky sweets and lollies encourage tooth decay, especially when consumed between meals. Limiting the frequency of sugar intake and reserving it, if given, for main meals helps reduce the risk.

What are the most common mistakes families make in children’s dental hygiene?

Common mistakes include: allowing bottles with sugary liquids during the night, delaying the start of dental cleaning until there are “many teeth”, using too much fluoride toothpaste or not supervising brushing at an early age, relying too much on “no added sugar” products, and not attending the first dental check-up before the age of one. Correcting these simple habits makes a big difference in preventing cavities and supporting long-term oral health.