By age
| Age | What to do |
|---|---|
| Birth to first tooth | Wipe the gums with a clean, damp cloth |
| First tooth to 3 years | Brush twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste; first dental visit by age one |
| 3–6 years | Pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste; you brush, or finish off |
| 6 years and up | Supervise brushing until about 7–8; ask about sealants on new molars |
Food and drink
- Milk and water are the best drinks between meals.
- No bottle in bed with milk, formula or juice. If your baby needs a bottle to sleep, use water.
- Keep sweets, biscuits and juice to mealtimes. Grazing on sugar all day is what causes decay.
- Sticky snacks like toffee and dried fruit cling to teeth.
- Move from bottle to cup from around six months, and stop bottles by about one year.
Early signs of decay
- White chalky lines or spots near the gums
- Brown or black spots
- Your child avoiding cold food or chewing on one side
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away
Early white spots can often be stopped with fluoride and better habits, so book a visit as soon as you notice them.
At Petal Smiles
Our paediatric dentist sees children from their first tooth, with short, friendly visits, fluoride varnish and sealants where advised. Our paediatrician, Dr. Sunisha Arora, is at the same clinic. We’re open every day until 8pm. See children’s dental care.
Questions patients ask us
When should I start brushing my baby's teeth?
As soon as the first tooth appears, with a soft baby brush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste, twice a day.
Is fluoride toothpaste safe for children?
Yes, in the right amount: a smear for under-threes and a pea-sized amount from three to six. Supervise so they spit rather than swallow.
Do milk teeth matter if they fall out anyway?
Yes. They help children chew, speak and smile, and they hold space for the adult teeth. Decay in milk teeth can cause pain, infection and crowding later.
What is bottle tooth decay?
Decay of the front teeth from milk, formula or juice sitting on them, especially during night feeds from a bottle. It often starts as white lines near the gums.
What are fissure sealants?
A thin protective coating painted onto the grooves of back teeth, usually the first adult molars around age six or seven, to keep food and bacteria out.
Sources
NHS: taking care of children's teeth ↗NHS: looking after your baby's teeth ↗American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: parent FAQs ↗Last updated 14 October 2026.