Choosing the right tooth care products for your kids
It may seem strange, but from the day their first milk tooth comes through, you should be brushing your little one’s teeth. That’s why we have developed a range of specialised products to care for tiny teeth, helping each one to stay strong right up until they wobble away and their permanent teeth arrive.
Toothbrushes for little hands
Starting to brush your little one’s teeth as soon as they appear not only helps keep them clean and healthy, but also gets your child used to a twice-daily brush, helping to set the routine as they grow up.
- For the first two years, you should use a small brush that has been specially designed for baby teeth, such as an Aquafresh Milk Teeth Toothbrush. With bristles that are soft and multi-angled to reduce the risk of damaging the gums, each tooth can be gently brushed. Perfect if they only have a few teeth to brush at first.
- Once they have a full set of milk teeth, you can use a toddler toothbrush like Aquafresh Little Teeth Toothbrush. Its soft bristles help clean between your child’s first teeth. And it has a flexible neck to help absorb any extra pressure and to help protect gums.
- From around five or six, their milk teeth will slowly be replaced by stronger permanent teeth, building their smile for life. A big kid toothbrush, such as our Aquafresh Big Teeth Toothbrush, has a mixture of long and short bristles that will help to clean these teeth of many sizes. And with a larger handle that’s easy to grip, your kids can now start to take control of their smile.
- These new permanent teeth will keep arriving over the following years, and even then, their surfaces can take up to three years to reach full strength. This is an important time for brushing, and a preteen toothbrush like our Aquafresh Advance Toothbrush can help bridge the gap to an adult brush. With a smaller head and mixed bristles designed for small mouths, and a flexible handle that helps kids brush away with less risk that they will damage their gums.
To make brushing feel fun, kids’ toothbrushes also often come in a range of characters and designs, and may include playful protective caps.
Toothpastes for tiny teeth
Children’s toothpaste can be quite different to adult toothpaste, often containing less fluoride to minimise any risk of swallowing. Child-friendly flavours are used to encourage brushing and special foaming action helps to surround each tooth. This all helps keep their teeth and gums healthy as your child’s mouth develops.
- Up to the age of three, try Aquafresh Milk Teeth Toothpaste. Designed to be tough on decay and gentle on teeth. Be sure to only use a smear of toothpaste so they don’t swallow too much. Also handy when there’s not many teeth to brush.
- Once all their milk teeth have arrived, a Sugar Acid Protection* paste like Aquafresh Little Teeth Toothpaste can help strengthen their smile and keep cavities away. You can also now use a bit more paste for each brush. Use a pea-size amount to cover all those tiny teeth.
*Protection provided by fluoride with twice-daily brushing. Limit sugary snacks. - From around age six, your child will have a mix of little and big teeth with gaps in between. Choosing a specially formulated paste, like Aquafresh Big Teeth Toothpaste, will help strengthen their new big teeth whilst still protecting the remaining little ones from sugar attacks*. Just what they need to complete their smile.
- The surfaces of new permanent teeth can take up to three years to strengthen fully. So from nine and up, try moving your child to a preteen toothpaste like Aquafresh Advance Toothpaste. Less abrasive than regular toothpaste, your child can brush away with all the grown-up benefits, from cavity prevention to fighting plaque. All with a minty blend that gets them ready for adult toothpaste when the time comes.
In some cases, kids’ teeth can be at more risk of cavities and specific oral care products may be appropriate. This will all be covered in your early dentist visits, where they will be able to recommend the best toothpaste for your child.
How about mouthwash?
With milk teeth, it’s best to stick to brushing and cleaning between teeth. Then from age six, kids can start to use mouthwash, like Aquafresh Big Teeth Mouthwash, to help keep their mouth healthy. It’s important they know not to swallow any of the liquid. If a large amount is ever consumed, consult your doctor immediately.
When should we first see the dentist?
The general advice is to have a check-up by age one or within six months after the first tooth comes through. This allows the dentist to make sure your child’s teeth are all growing in the right way, and let you know about any special products they may need. Children’s tooth care products can usually be found close to the adult products in supermarkets or pharmacies.
Aquafresh Milk Teeth Toothpaste
