Question 1

What is the best toothpaste for my child?

Accepted Answer

Children’s toothpastes are usually different to adult toothpastes, often containing less fluoride to reduce any risk from swallowing. They also typically have child-friendly flavours to encourage brushing, and many have reduced foaming action. 
 
The Aquafresh Kid’s range (Milk Teeth, Little Teeth, Big Teeth and Advance) are designed with age-appropriate fluoride levels and with specific age preferences for flavour and foaming in mind. All have age guidelines to help you give your little one great toothcare at every stage. 
 
In some cases, kids may need higher fluoride levels, if their teeth are considered by their dentist to be at more risk of cavities. This will be covered by your dentist who may recommend a specific toothpaste for your child.
 
Learn more about choosing toothpaste for your child
[LINK TO ARTICLE: Children's Toothcare]

Question 2

How much toothpaste should I put on my child's toothbrush?

Accepted Answer

Children under three should only use a smear of a children’s toothpaste. Then once they’re older (3 or above) and are less likely to swallow the toothpaste, they should use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Read our full brushing guide for children
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Looking After Childrens Teeth]

Question 3

When can my child use adult toothpaste?

Accepted Answer

Adult toothpastes commonly contain more fluoride than toothpaste for young children, which can increase the risk of them swallowing too much fluoride. Adult toothpastes can often also have a stronger minty flavour and higher foaming that kids may not like.

So, until they are ready, we recommend sticking to a child-friendly toothpaste. Which is why the Aquafresh Children’s range has a dedicated toothpaste to cover them at every stage.

In some cases, kid’s teeth can be at more risk of cavities and specific oral care products may be appropriate. At visits to the dentist they may recommend a specific toothpaste for your child.

Learn more about adult and children's toothpastes

[LINK TO ARTICLE: Looking After Children's Teeth]

Question 4

How often should I replace my child’s toothbrush?

Accepted Answer

Dentists generally recommend that you change your toothbrush every three months.
 
 Learn more tooth care tips for your child

[LINK TO ARTICLE: Children's Toothcare]

Question 5

What type of toothbrush should I get for my child?

Accepted Answer

As children get bigger, so do their mouths and hands. Which is why Aquafresh have designed a range of children’s toothbrushes to cover them at every stage. 
 
Some beginner children’s toothbrushes, like Aquafresh Milk Teeth, have a smaller head designed for a smaller mouth, and soft bristles to gently clean little teeth and help protect sensitive gums.

Then as their mouth develops and they have more teeth to brush, they can move to a larger toothbrush like Aquafresh Little Teeth. Then later still, Aquafresh Big Teeth. These brushes have longer bristles to reach in between their teeth and age-appropriate handles they can hold on their own as they start to brush their own teeth.
 
 Learn more about choosing the best toothbrush for your child
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Children's Toothcare]

Question 6

What's the difference between soft and medium bristles?

Accepted Answer

Soft-bristle toothbrushes such as Aquafresh Milk Teeth, Little Teeth and Big Teeth, have thinner bristles than medium-bristle or hard-bristle brushes. Thinner bristles are more flexible, whereas thicker bristles are more resistant to bending. 
 
 Learn more about choosing the best toothbrush for your child
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Children's Toothcare]

Question 7

Should my child spit or rinse after brushing?

Accepted Answer

After brushing, try to encourage your child to spit and not rinse. That way, they keep more of the fluoride from the toothpaste in their mouth which helps protect their teeth. Some young children can find it hard to spit, so it’s important to help them learn, to ensure they swallow as little toothpaste as possible. 
 
 Learn more ways to care for your child's teeth
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Looking After Children's Teeth]

Question 8

At what age can my child use mouthwash?

Accepted Answer

With very young children it's recommended not to use fluoride mouthwash – instead it’s best to stick to just brushing with toothpaste. Then at around six years old, when they are less likely to swallow the mouthwash and their permanent teeth start to come through, they can use fluoride mouthwash.

Aquafresh Big Teeth Mouthwash for children six and above contains fluoride to help keep teeth strong.
 
 Learn more about Aquafresh Big Teeth Mouthwash

[LINK TO PRODUCT: Aquafresh Big Teeth Mouthwash]

Question 9

How many times a day should I brush my child’s teeth?

Accepted Answer

A big part of making sure your child has healthy teeth when they’re older is to get them into a regular brushing routine when they’re young. It's recommended to brush once before bed time and once in the morning every day, for at least two minutes.
 
 Read our full brushing guide for children

[LINK TO ARTICLE: Brushing Tips for Kids]

Question 10

How can I make brush time fun and not a chore?

Accepted Answer

There are many ways to help make brushing more fun for your child. For example, a great way to keep your child interested is to brush together.

Or get hold of a tooth brushing timer and challenge them to keep brushing for as long as the timer keeps going. 
 
For help making brush time, fun time – download the free Aquafresh Brush Time app. Captain Aquafresh and the Nurdles sing and dance on screen, while your little one brushes their teeth clean. With a catchy song, points to collect, brushing tips and a two-minute timer that counts down. Helping them learn the importance of a good daily brush.
 
 Learn other ways to make brushing feel fun
[LINK TO ARTICLE: Brushing Tips for Kids]

Question 11

What’s the right brushing technique for children?

Accepted Answer

There's no one right way to brush. But one commonly recommended method is to clean each tooth with a gentle circular motion. Making sure you clean all the surfaces of their teeth and right up to the gum line, brushing both the top and bottom teeth.
 
For younger children, you can sit them on your lap when you brush their teeth. It’s so much easier and it helps to stop them wriggling. Once they get older, you can stand behind them and brush along until you know they have it mastered.
 
 Read our full brushing guide for children
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Looking After Children's Teeth]

Question 12

Should I check my child’s teeth after they have finished brushing?

Accepted Answer

While they’re young, it’s important to make sure your child is brushing properly. Why not turn it into a fun game? Tilt their head up a little and get them to open wide, pretending to be a crocodile or a fierce tiger. Or ask them to smile like a monkey and show you their lovely teeth.
 
 Learn other uesful brushing tips for little teeth
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Brushing Tips for Kids]

Question 13

When can my child brush their teeth on their own?

Accepted Answer

Most children will struggle to brush their teeth properly until they are around seven – although every child is different. Until that time, you should brush their teeth and as they grow help them learn the right way to brush for themselves. You should also continue to supervise your child, once the start brushing for themselves, to minimise swallowing.
 
 Read our full brushing guide for children
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Looking After Children's Teeth]

Question 14

When should I first take my child to the dentist?

Accepted Answer

Taking your baby to the dentist is a big milestone. And that can happen as soon as that first tooth appears, usually around six months old. It’s unlikely they will need any treatment at this stage. The dentist will simply check to see that your baby’s teeth are growing the way they should.
 
As they get a little older you might like to take them with you when you visit the dentist for your own check-ups. Letting them see you happily with the dentist could help them feel at ease when they’re sitting in the chair.
 
 Learn more about your child's first dentist visit
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: First Dentist Visit]

Question 15

What do I do when my child has a toothache?

Accepted Answer

If your child has a toothache, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
 
 Learn more about taking your child to the dentist
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: First Dentist Visit]

Question 16

How do I make my child’s diet safer for their teeth?

Accepted Answer

Milk, cheese, yoghurt, soya beans, tofu and nuts are all rich in calcium, which is good for teeth and bones. 
 
But children love sugar and fizzy drinks. Trouble is, many of the bacteria that live on our teeth love it too and turn the sugar into acids, which attack enamel and can lead to cavities. If your child keeps eating too much sugary food (or drinking sugary drinks) then their teeth end up being exposed to too much acid for the natural repair process to handle. And that’s when they can start to decay. So, protecting your child’s teeth is about how much sugar they have, and also about how often they have it. 
 
 If you can, try and encourage them to limit sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes. In between meals, stick to fruit, vegetables, cheese, milk and water to help keep their teeth healthy.
 
 Learn more ways to care for your child's teeth
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Looking After Childrens Teeth]

Question 17

When should my child start cleaning between their teeth?

Accepted Answer

Flossing and interdental brushes help prevent plaque and remove food debris trapped in between teeth. Once any two teeth touch each other, you should start cleaning between your child’s teeth once a day to help keep them healthy. Then as they get older, you can teach them to do it on their own.
 
 Learn more ways to care for your child's teeth
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Looking After Childrens Teeth]

Question 18

How can I prevent my child from getting tooth decay?

Accepted Answer

Children’s toothpastes contain fluoride that helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. 
The most important step to prevent decay is to ensure they maintain a healthy diet and limit sugary foods and drinks

You can also help prevent tooth decay by:
 - Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes 
 - Visiting a dentist regularly
 - Ensuring you reaching all their teeth when brushing 
 
 Learn more about your child's first dentist visit
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: First Dentist Visit]

Question 19

What should I do if my child grinds their teeth?

Accepted Answer

Teeth grinding or bruxism on a regular basis can cause damage to the biting surfaces of teeth. Speak to your dentist for advice and to ask about getting a mouth guard for your child.
 
 Learn more about your child's first dentist visit
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: First Dentist Visit]

Question 20

What is acid erosion and how should I protect my child's teeth from it?

Accepted Answer

Fruit juice and fizzy drinks (even diet ones) are generally quite acidic. If your child drinks a lot of them, the acid can start to erode the surfaces of the enamel on their teeth. This is different from tooth decay, because it's the drink that attacks the teeth directly – rather than food sugars being turned into acids by plaque bacteria. This means acid erosion can attack the whole surface of the tooth at once, whereas decay tends to occur in the nooks and crannies of teeth where plaque is hardest to remove. 
 
 Acid erosion can lead to permanent damage to teeth. But there are some simple ways it can be avoided: 
 - Try to limit fizzy drinks and fruit juices to mealtimes, giving them milk or water in between.
 - Drink using a straw that is directed to the back of the mouth. Reducing the drink’s contact with their teeth. 
 - Try not to let your child swish drinks around in their mouth. 
 - It's particularly important not to let you child have acidic or sweet drinks before bed-time, as the body's natural defence processes don't work as well when they are asleep. So only give your child water to drink before going to bed.
 
 Learn more about taking your child to the dentist
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: First Dentist Visit]

Question 21

When will my child start teething?

Accepted Answer

Children normally start teething around six months, although some babies may start sooner or later than this. Lower middle teeth are typically the first ones to come through and the last teeth to appear are the back molars. By three years your child should have all their 20 milk teeth.
 
 Learn more about the stages of teething
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Teething]

Question 22

What can I do to soothe my child’s gums when teething?

Accepted Answer

There are several things you can do to help your baby cope with teething: 
 - Extra cuddles and TLC are the best place to start. They could be confused about what’s happening, and just need reassurance from you.
 - Cold objects to chew on can help soothe teething pain. And are a great distraction too. Try giving them a chilled clean washcloth or teething ring. Making sure it’s not frozen hard, as this could hurt when biting down.
 - Use a clean finger or moistened pad to gently rub your baby's gums. Small amounts of pressure can help ease your baby's discomfort. And the action makes another good distraction.
 - Wipe dribble regularly to avoid their mouth and chin becoming sore. If it looks red, add small amounts of petroleum jelly or a water-based cream to sore areas to help protect them and help them heal. 
 - If these remedies aren’t working, sugar-free infant teething gels can help reduce the pain. These may also contain a local anaesthetic, so it’s always best to check with your pharmacist first. Other pain relief like infant paracetamol and ibuprofen can also help with teething pains. But as always, read the label first to check it’s right for your child.

Read our full teething guide
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Teething]

Question 23

Can I brush my baby’s teeth?

Accepted Answer

You should start cleaning your baby’s teeth as soon as they come through the gums. There are toothbrushes designed for babies, that make it easier to brush them. Always brush twice a day to help it become part of your child’s daily routine. Then once they get older, you can teach them how to brush their own teeth.
 
 Learn more about caring for your child's teeth
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Looking After Children's Teeth]

Question 24

How do my child’s teeth change during their childhood?

Accepted Answer

Your child will grow 20 milk teeth in total (they’ll get 32 adult teeth later when their mouths have grown big enough).

Both sets are made up of three different types of teeth, each designed to make short work of the different kinds of food we eat.

- Incisors: These tend to come through first and are the flat teeth at the front that are great for biting into food
 - Canines: These often come through next and are the pointy ones at the side that help us tear tough foods apart
 - Molars: Normally the last baby teeth to come, these are the big ones at the back that crush and grind our food into small pieces
 
 Learn more about the stages of teething
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Teething]

Question 25

Is thumb sucking bad?

Accepted Answer

Some children find thumb-sucking comforting, and of course there can be times when they need to self-comfort. However, thumb sucking can also put pressure on their front teeth and start pushing them forward. Which could mean they’ll need to wear a brace for a period of time, to move them back.
 
If possible, it’s best to avoid thumb-sucking, and try to encourage them to break the habit if it’s already started. Try talking to your child about it. Help them understand why they need to stop, and gently point out when you see them do it so they gradually learn to stop. If you’re having trouble, try giving a reward for each day or week they don’t suck their thumb. Helping them feel like they’re doing a good job.

Question 26

What are teeth made of?

Accepted Answer

Teeth are made up of three main parts. On the outside is a protective layer of enamel, the hardest substance in your body. Below that is a bone-like substance called dentine, which makes up the largest part of the tooth. Underneath the dentine, the tooth actually has a soft centre. This is called the pulp, and it houses all of the tooth’s blood vessels and nerve endings. 
 
Tooth decay starts in the enamel, which has no feeling. But once it reaches the dentine, it's likely to cause a toothache. If decay ever spreads as far as the pulp, it can be incredibly painful. But by limiting your intake of sugary food and drink, brushing twice a day with a fluoride containing toothpaste, and with regular dentist visits, you should be able to prevent decay from becoming established.
 
 Learn more about tooth decay and how you can prevent it
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Kids Dental Problems]

Question 27

When will my child’s milk teeth fall out?

Accepted Answer

Every child is different, but the first teeth usually start to be replaced by adult teeth when your child is around six years old. These permanent teeth will have been growing in the gums for some time, but it’s only when your child gets to about six that the first big tooth will start to travel through the gum. As this happens, the root of the milk tooth dissolves, making it wobbly. And because the big tooth keeps growing, it pushes the little tooth out completely to make room for itself.
 
 Learn more about the stages of teething
 [LINK TO ARTICLE: Teething]

Question 28

Where do I buy children’s toothpaste	oothbrushes\mouthwash from?

Accepted Answer

Children’s toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash can be found close to adult oral care in supermarkets and pharmacies.
 
 Find your nearest Aquafresh retailer
 [LINK TO PAGE: Where to Buy]

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