Keeping your child’s teeth healthy during primary school

At what age does a child get permanent teeth?

Your child’s baby teeth typically start to appear around six months of age. This will continue until they have all 20 of their milk teeth, which is usually by the time they’re two and a half years old.

At around six to seven years old, these tiny teeth will begin to fall out, be collected by the tooth fairy and replaced with permanent adult teeth. The bottom front teeth are usually the first to come in, followed by the top front teeth. By age 12 to 14, your child should have most of their permanent teeth, but wisdom teeth usually arrive later – during their late teens or early twenties. Once fully developed, adults have up to 32 teeth in total.

Since adult teeth are for life, it’s essential to teach your child how to brush thoroughly, eat a tooth-friendly diet and have regular dental check-ups.

How can I make my child’s teeth healthy?

Taking care of children’s teeth starts with cleaning them thoroughly. Make sure to:

• brush your child’s teeth for two minutes, twice a day – once before bed and at one other time.
• use a pea-sized amount of child-friendly toothpaste that contains 1350 to 1500ppm fluoride.
• spit instead of rinsing after brushing, so the fluoride stays on your child’s teeth.
• use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush that’s colourful and fun to encourage brushing.
• use small circular motions, and remember to brush their gums and all surfaces of their teeth too.

It’s also important to limit how much sugar your child eats and drinks. This is because sugar feeds the bacteria that live in the mouth. Without brushing, this can cause tiny holes (cavities) to form and eventually lead to tooth decay. It’s not just how much sugar your child eats that’s important, but how often too. Every time your child eats something sugary or acidic, acid attacks the hard outer layer (enamel) of their teeth. Saliva and fluoride help to repair this damage in between meals. So cutting back on snacking throughout the day gives your child’s teeth the chance to rest and recover from acid attacks.

Try to limit how much added sugar your child eats by avoiding snacks between meals and cutting down on:

• fizzy drinks
• sugary breakfast cereals
• cakes, biscuits and pastries
• chocolate and sweets
• honey, jams and syrups
• sugar-sweetened yoghurt pots
• fruit juices and smoothies (no more than one 150ml glass a day)

What age should a child brush their own teeth?

As your little one grows and becomes more independent, they might start wanting to brush their teeth on their own. Every child is different, so some will be ready sooner than others. It’s usually best to supervise their brushing until they’re at least seven. Your dentist can also give you advice on when they’re ready to go solo and how to introduce flossing.

When should I take my child to the dentist?

You can take your child to meet their dentist as soon as their first baby teeth start to come through, and at least once a year after that. Their first visit to the dentist will help them get used to all the different sights, sounds and smells and reduce their chance of developing a fear of the dentist later in life. Your dentist can also teach you how to care for your child’s teeth properly and answer any questions you may have.

Try not to worry if your child is older and hasn’t been to the dentist yet, but the sooner you can book an appointment the better. In the UK, all children have access to free dental care on the NHS at practices offering NHS treatment, or you may wish to see a private dentist.

It’s also important to take your child to the dentist if you notice any problems, like painful or sensitive teeth. Or if they have yellow, brown or black spots on their teeth.