Oral Health for Babies, Children and those with Additional Needs (SCHOOL)

• Breastfeed your baby exclusively for the first 6 months if you can.

• Introduce free flow cups from 6 months and avoid bottle feeding beyond 12 months.

• Bottles should only contain either milk or water. Do not leave a bottle with your baby unless it contains water.

• Brush your child’s teeth:

• As soon as they come through.

• Twice a day, with a toothpaste containing at least 1000 ppm fluoride.

• Last thing at night (or before bedtime) and on one other occasion.

• Using only a small amount of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice).

• Wipe your baby’s face after brushing. Do not rinse the mouth with water.

• Limit sugary foods and drinks – juice or fizzy drinks have no place in a baby’s diet!

• Teeth should be brushed by a parent or carer. As the child gets older, a parent or carer should assist them to brush their own teeth:

• At least twice a day with toothpaste containing at least 1,000 ppm fluoride.

• Last thing at night (or before bedtime) and on at least one other occasion.

• Using a pea-sized amount of the toothpaste.

• Spitting out after brushing rather than rinsing, to avoid diluting the fluoride concentration.

• Minimise the amount and frequency of sugar-containing food and drinks.

• Brush teeth at least twice daily (with assistance from parent or carer until 7 years of age or older if required):

• Last thing at night or before bedtime and on at least one other occasion.

• With toothpaste containing 1,350 to 1,500 ppm fluoride.

• Spitting out after brushing rather than rinsing with water, to avoid diluting the fluoride concentration.

• Minimise amount and frequency of consumption of sugar-containing food and drinks.

All the above recommendations also apply for children with additional needs and special care needs. In addition:

• As the caries risk is higher, please use toothpaste containing 1,350 to 1,500 ppm fluoride.

• For children taking medication frequently or long term, choose or request sugar-free medicines if possible.

• Ask the dentist for preventive advice and treatment.

Most children with additional needs should be able to visit their local dentist. To make their first visits more comfortable, make your dentist aware of your child’s needs before your visit and talk to them about:

• Having familiarisation visits – your child may benefit from multiple visits before sitting in the chair so that they can get used to the sights, sounds, and smells of the clinic.

• Having a double appointment so that your child’s appointment does not feel rushed.

For children unable to access their local dentist, your dentist may refer your child to Community Dental Services for treatment, click here.

For further information from the NHS about dental treatment for people with special needs, click here.

Professionals working within our Healthy Family Teams are able to support you and your family in maintaining good oral health. This will be discussed at routine contacts offered to all families in Essex both antenatally and within the first five years of life, such as under 1 review or 2-3 year checks.

Alternatively, you can access advice and support through our Family Hubs and delivery sites, community or school-based drop ins or by calling through to our Single Point of Contact.

• To find your local dentist, visit: Find a dentist– you can visit any dentist that has availability. You don’t have to register with your nearest dentist.

• Dental Emergencies – If you child has an emergency call NHS 111 – dial 111 or visit your nearest Urgent care or A&E for treatment.

• NHS dental care in England is free if you are:
  • a child under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education
  • pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months

• See a dentist as soon as possible if you think you or your child has tooth decay. Early treatment can help stop it getting worse.

• Take your baby to the dentist when their teeth first come through or by the age of one so that they feel comfortable at the dentist and maintain healthy teeth. Visit the Dental Check by One website for support

• Ask your dentist about preventative treatment.

• NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board 
• NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board 
• NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board 

• Toothbrush Showdown: Both manual and electric toothbrushes can clean teeth effectively.

• Brushing Support: Children under 8 need help brushing from a parent/carer to ensure all tooth surfaces are cleaned.

• Fluoride Power: Fluoride strengthens enamel, making teeth more resistant to decay. Click here for more information.

• Store Brand Toothpaste: Store brand toothpaste is just as effective; just check the fluoride concentration is correct for your child’s age.

• No Rinsing Needed: Don’t rinse after brushing to let the fluoride in the toothpaste protect the teeth until the next brush.

• First Dental Visit: Your child can visit the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears. This helps them to get used to the sights, sounds and smells of the dental clinic from an early age and helps to ensure that their teeth remain healthy throughout their life.

• Milk Teeth Matter: They are important for your child’s health and wellbeing, they act as guides for adult teeth, they help your child to develop their speech, and they allow your child to eat a range of nutritious food. Help to protect them.

• Local Water: Water in Essex is not artificially fluoridated. Even though there is naturally occurring fluoride in the water, it is important that you brush with correct fluoride.

• Sneaky Sugars: Foods like fruit smoothies and dried fruits, breakfast cereals, raisins, sweetened yogurt, and ketchup can have as much sugar a chocolate bar! Go for raw fruit, carrot sticks, and sugar snap peas as healthy snack alternatives.

• Sweet Treats Timing: Keep sweet treats to mealtimes to reduce the risk of tooth decay. 

• Rinse After Sweets: Rinse your mouth with water after sugary treats to help protect teeth.

• Bottle Use: Prolonged bottle use can cause tooth decay; stick to milk or water and avoid leaving bottles with your baby all day or night.

• Drink Choices: Stick to water or milk outside of mealtimes for better oral health. Plain water preferred over squash/cordial.
• Dummy Use: Avoid dipping dummies in sugars/sweeteners or fruit juice.

• My Brushing Chart 
• Tips to Help Prepare Your Child for School
• Apps and Online Resources to Help with Brushing Your Teeth
• Healthy Eating Poster 

• Toothbrushing Song 
• Peppa Pig Dentist Song 
• CBeebies My First Dentist

For more information on looking after your teeth, visit the NHS websites:

• How to take care of your baby or toddlers teeth
• Healthy teeth and gums taking care of children’s teeth

For more detailed advice on the benefits of fluoride, dietary advice can be found here: Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention – GOV.UK