What to do of Dental care for babies and children

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You should start looking after your babyâ€™s teeth as soon as they start to appear.

Use a baby formulated toothpaste, or one containing fluoride, and gently rub it around the teeth and gums. You can buy special baby toothbrushes but at first, you may prefer to use a clean piece of gauze or cloth, wrapped around your finger, to clean the teeth.

Babies only need a tiny amount of toothpaste. You should use a pea-sized amount for children.

Make tooth brushing into a routine, first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Start getting your children to help brush their teeth at the age of about 3 or 4, but children should be supervised up to the age of 7 years old, to make sure they brush correctly.

Children should go to the dentist every 6 months. The first appointment should be when your baby is around 6 months old and the first teeth are starting to break through. Getting children used to going to the dentist from an early age will help prevent them from being scared of going later in life.

Your dentist or health visitor can help you look after you childâ€™s teeth if you are not sure what to do.