Brushing your teeth is the best way to protect teeth and mouth from problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.

The best way to clean teeth and gum is through regular tooth brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

Everyone should brush their teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.

This is the best way to protect ourselves from problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Brushing your Childs Teeth

You will need to help your child brush their teeth until they are at least seven years of age. It is important to keep helping them to ensure they are brushing their teeth correctly.

When brushing your childs teeth, you may find it easier to sit or stand behind your child and gently hold their chin. This should allow you to get at both their top and bottom teeth.

Brush your childs teeth twice a day, including before your child goes to bed.

Try to get into a regular toothbrushing routine. This will help your child when they start to brush their teeth on their own.

Use a pea sized amount (for all children aged 3 years and over) of fluoride toothpaste and a brush that has been designed for children.

Top Toothbrushing Tips

• Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste after brushing, but avoid rinsing with water afterwards as this can stop the fluoride working.
• Teach your child the best way to brush their teeth before they start to clean them on their own.
• The best way to clean teeth is using gentle round movements on each individual tooth, then around the back and other side of each tooth and gently along the top on the gum line.
• Encorage your child when they brush their teeth well, so they keep it up.
• Try brushing your own teeth at the same time, so they can copy and learn.
• When your child first starts to brush their teeth on their own, check every few days to make sure they are doing it right.

How to Brush your Teeth

Place the head of your toothbrush against your teeth, then tilt the bristle tips to a 45 degree angle against the gum line. Move the brush in small circular movements, several times, on all surfaces of every tooth. Brush the outside of each tooth, upper and lower, keeping the bristles angled against the gumline. Use the same method on the inside surfaces of all your teeth. Brush the biting surfaces of the teeth. To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several small circular strokes with the front part of the brush. Brushing your tongue will help freshen your breath and will clean your mouth by removing bacteria. Spit out any excess toothpaste. Do not rinse or swallow it.

How Often?

Everyone should brush their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste including just before you go to bed.

Babys teeth should also be brushed twice a day using only a small smear of family toothpaste containing fluoride. Once your child is 3 years old, you can increse the amount of toothpaste to a pea sized amount.

Fluoride is added to toothpaste to help protect teeth from tooth decay.

Fluoride helps to do this by:

• Strengthening the outside of the tooth (enamel) by making it more able to resist the acid in foods, which can cause tooth decay.

Dentists recommend that children and adults should brush their teeth using toothpaste that contains fluoride.

Fluoride varnish: is another treatment that can be used to help protect against tooth decay. The varnish is painted on the surface of both childrens and adults teeth to strengthen them against tooth decay. This is usually done every three to six months by a dentist or dental nurse.

Some people who are prone to tooth decay may also be prescribed mouthwash, gels and tablets containing higher levels of fluoride by their dentist. You should aways ask a dentist first if you think using these products will help you or your family.