Help your child to keep their teeth healthy by visiting a dentist before their first birthday and then at least once a year.
Why is it important?
1 in 8 three year old’s have dental decay which is preventable and can cause pain and sleepless nights. Taking your child for a dental appointment before their first birthday provides an opportunity for the dentist to check how your child’s teeth are developing, ensuring that any problems can be identified at an early stage.
Many children will have their front teeth by age 1 year, so it is a good time for their first dental appointment which can help your child to become familiar with the dentist, making future visits, each year easier.
Brushing teeth twice a day
Brushing starts as soon as the first teeth appear and is one of the best ways to prevent tooth decay. For children aged under 3 years old, use a small headed toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste containing at least 1000ppm (parts per million) of fluoride. Brush before bed and at one other time everyday.
You can help by setting an example and letting your child watch you brush your teeth. Your dentist can also give you some tips on tooth brushing and information about ‘tooth friendly’ food and drinks. It is important to limit the amount of added sugars in foods and drinks to protect your child's teeth.
First point of contact
NHS dentistry is free for under 18s and new mums are also entitled to free NHS dental treatment up to a year after the birth of their child. You can register with any dentist even if it is outside of where you live.
If you contact several surgeries and cannot find a dentist accepting NHS patients, call NHS England's Customer Contact Centre on 0300 311 2233.
For urgent dental care and care out of office hours call NHS 111
Local services and information
The North East London Outreach Dental Team run the Tooth Friendly Nurseries Scheme in Hackney - you can ask your child’s nursery, Children's Centre or playgroup if they have signed up and if they are then your child will receive a free toothbrush when they start nursery.
National resources
Healthy teeth
- Looking after your baby's teeth (NHS)
- How to take care of your baby or toddler's teeth (NHS)
- Tooth brushing tips, including fluoride toothpaste (NHS)
- Brushing children's teeth - advice from the singing dentist
- When to take a child to a dentist (NHS)
- Dental check by one
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