Home › Daily care & family health
Children's teeth
Start cleaning as soon as the first tooth appears. Adults are in charge of children's brushing.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. It does not replace a check by a dentist or doctor. If you are worried, contact a dental professional.
By age
- Up to 3 years
- An adult brushes, twice a day, with a smear of fluoride toothpaste (at least 1,000 ppm). Brush last thing at night.
- 3 to 6 years
- A pea-sized blob of toothpaste (1,000–1,500 ppm). Let your child try, but help and watch. Spit, do not rinse.
- 7 and over
- Toothpaste with 1,350–1,500 ppm. Keep watching to make sure they brush well for 2 minutes.
Children need help or supervision with brushing until at least age 7. New adult back teeth (from about age 5–6) are hard to clean and decay easily, so help with them.
Make it easier
- Use a small, soft brush.
- Brush in small circles, including the gums and behind the teeth.
- Use a mirror and a 2-minute timer.
- Do not let children walk around with a brush in their mouth.
Dentist visits
Take your child to the dentist when the first teeth appear, or before age 1. Ask about fluoride varnish and fissure sealants.
When to see a dentist
- You see white, brown or black spots on your child's teeth.
- Your child has sore, bleeding gums or tooth pain.
If a child's baby tooth is knocked out, do not put it back. See a dentist.
Related: Fluoride · First dental visit
Sources
Paraphrased in plain words. Links checked and accessed 21 Oct 2026.
- NHS (UK). “Children's teeth”. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/taking-care-of-childrens-teeth/ (accessed 21 Oct 2026).
- Terveyskylä. “3–5-vuotiaan suun terveys (oral health at age 3–5)”. https://www.terveyskyla.fi/suun-terveyden-talo/suun-omahoito/suun-omahoito-lapsilla/3-5-vuotiaan-suun-terveys (accessed 21 Oct 2026).
- Oral Health Foundation. “Fluoride”. https://www.dentalhealth.org/fluoride (accessed 21 Oct 2026).
- NHS (UK). “Knocked-out tooth”. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knocked-out-tooth/ (accessed 21 Oct 2026).
- NHS (UK). “Tooth decay”. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tooth-decay/ (accessed 21 Oct 2026).