Exclusive:
With tooth decay on the rise in young children, an expert in dental care has offered her top tips – and while some of them are commonly known, others may surprise you
Six in ten children in some areas of the UK have rotting teeth by a shockingly young age, recent research revealed.
The proportion of five-year-olds with enamel and/or tooth decay is rising in the North East, London and the South West, with clear differences emerging between poorer area and more affluent ones. Manchester takes the sorry title of the highest percentage of five-year-olds with rotting teeth, with more than 60 percent of children affected in 2024, according to the statistics from the Government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
Thankfully dental therapist Miranda Pascucci, who works with oral health brand TePe, says simple steps could prevent the condition. From tiny tots to growing boys and girls, here’s her advice on what to do…
1. Create a habit
“Children need help and supervision to brush their teeth from the very first tooth emerges until the age of 10-12,” says Miranda. “A small child does not have the manual skills to brush properly and is not able to understand the consequences of not brushing correctly. A fixed routine makes toothbrushing a natural part of a child’s day.
Get the basics right by brushing children’s teeth twice a day, once in the morning and again before bedtime. It’s important that children always go to bed with clean teeth as the production of saliva is reduced at night, which lowers the saliva’s capacity to protect the teeth.
2. Use the right brushing technique
It is time to start brushing a child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth emerges. Always brush teeth in the same order, for example, brushing the inside, the outside and then the biting surfaces of the teeth. Don’t forget the gum line! Place the toothbrush filaments at a 45 degree angle towards teeth and gum line and brush with a slight pressure using small movements.
When it comes to infants, parents may find it convenient to brush the teeth with their child sitting up, perhaps on a small chair or on their lap. While brushing, parents can gently lift the child’s lip with their finger to see and reach better.
3. Choose a fluoride, age-specific toothpaste
Use a fluoride toothpaste which helps to protect the teeth by strengthening the tooth enamel. For children aged 0-3, a smear of toothpaste should be applied to the bristles of the toothbrush. Children aged 3 and over, and all adults, should use a pea- sized amount of toothpaste.
Children under the age of 3 should use a fluoride toothpaste with at least 1,000 parts of fluoride per million, whilst children aged 7 or over should use a toothpaste that contains between 1350 -1500 PPM fluoride.
4. Add floss or interdental brushes into children’s routines
Cleaning with a toothbrush alone only reaches 60 per cent of the tooth’s surface, so flossing should be incorporated into a child’s dental routine. For younger children, you can floss for them. Older children should be able to floss themselves, with supervision from an adult. Interdental brushes are also a great way of getting between larger gaps and are particularly useful for children with braces.
5. Ensure children eat healthy foods
There are certain foods that contain nutrients which are beneficial for our oral health. Nuts, including Brazil nuts and cashews, are great choices as they are good sources of phosphorus, which is beneficial for the teeth and gums. Cheese is another food which can help to benefit oral health. Packed full of calcium, cheese helps to counteract the acid in the mouth by balancing the pH levels. Cheese also stimulates saliva flow, which acts as the mouth’s natural protector, washing away harmful bacteria and acid.
6. Avoid giving children sugary food and drinks
Diet plays an important role in oral health. After eating foods that contain sugar, the molecules combine with saliva and bacteria present in the mouth. This combination leads to plaque build-up on the teeth. When left on the teeth, plaque can weaken the tooth’s enamel, which can lead to cavities and also, gum disease. Therefore, it’s best to avoid giving children sugary food and drinks. If they do consume them, they should do so at mealtimes and ensure it’s in moderation.
Children should be encouraged to rinse their mouths with water after consuming sugar in order to neutralise the acid and stimulate saliva production.
7. Give teeth time to recover
Every time we eat or drink, bacteria start producing acids that corrode the teeth. After about 30 minutes, the saliva will have helped to neutralise the acids. It’s important to let children’s teeth rest and avoid frequent snacking between meals as it causes numerous acid attacks, making it easier for cavities to develop. Sticking to regular mealtimes gives the teeth a chance to recover, and if children are thirsty between meals or at night time, offer water.
8. Make brushing fun
You can incorporate music into teeth cleaning, for example, playing a song while children are brushing their teeth to make it more entertaining. You can also use an egg timer to make it fun – children may enjoy watching it count down.
9. Schedule regular trips to the dentist
To keep teeth and gums in the best possible condition, regular visits to the dentist are recommended. A dentist or dental professional can check your child’s teeth, see how they are growing and provide handy tips for ensuring they stay on top of their oral health routine. Dentists can also diagnose any potential issues such as cavities or dental pain, which may require treatment. It’s always best to catch oral health issues early on, to avoid further damage to the teeth later down the line.
10. Explain the importance of good oral health
Parents should encourage their children to maintain good oral health using positive reinforcement, as well as explaining to them the importance of having clean teeth. While younger children may not grasp this, older children will benefit from learning how a good oral health routine can reduce bad breath, help prevent cavities – which can be painful – and boost overall health.”
