Five small habits that protect your child’s teeth

Children rarely complain about their teeth until something already hurts, so prevention is the most useful thing parents can do. Five habits cover most of what matters.

1. Brush with them until age seven

Their fine motor control is not ready before that, no matter how confident they look. Use a soft brush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste.

2. Make juices and sticky snacks occasional

Frequency hurts more than amount — a sip every 20 minutes is far worse for the enamel than the same drink in one sitting.

3. Seal the back molars early

Check for grooves on the back molars when the permanent ones erupt. A simple sealant placed early prevents most childhood cavities.

4. Book the first visit by age one

Schedule the first dental visit by age one or within six months of the first tooth, even if everything looks fine. A short, friendly visit teaches them the chair is not a scary place.

5. Model the behaviour

Children copy what they see at home — brushing twice a day, flossing, and showing up for check-ups together is more powerful than any reminder.