Children's dental care
Good habits before school age prevent most childhood decay, and milk teeth need treating even though they will be lost.
Brushing
Start cleaning as soon as the first tooth appears, twice a day. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste for under-threes and a pea-sized amount after that. Children need an adult to brush for them or to check afterwards until about seven or eight, because they cannot yet clean the back teeth properly. Encourage spitting rather than rinsing so the fluoride stays on the teeth.
Diet
How often sugar is eaten matters more than how much. Frequent sweets, biscuits, sweetened milk and fizzy or fruit drinks through the day keep the teeth under constant acid attack. Keep sugary items to mealtimes and give water or plain milk between meals. Never put a baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice.
Milk teeth still matter
Decayed milk teeth cause pain, infection and missed school, and losing them early can crowd the adult teeth that follow. Fillings, pulp treatment and, where suitable, fissure sealants and fluoride application are all used in children.
First visits
Take a child for a check-up by their first birthday or when the first teeth appear, and keep visits regular. Early, painless visits build confidence — the worst introduction to a dentist is an emergency at three in the morning.
This guide is general information only and is not a diagnosis. For advice about your own teeth, see a registered dentist — find a dental clinic in Sri Lanka.