Dental advice for primary school children (5-12 years)

• Use a pea sized amount of low fluoride toothpaste from 18 months to six years of age.

• From six years of age, use a pea sized amount of standard fluoride toothpaste (unless otherwise advised by an oral health professional).

• Encourage your child to spit out toothpaste after brushing, but not rinse.

• Brushing teeth removes plaque (the build-up on teeth) that causes tooth decay.

• Brush all surfaces of the teeth and gums twice a day (after breakfast and before bed).

• Brush in small circles along the gum line.

• Choose a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles.

• Always brush in a circular motion, cleaning a few teeth at a time.

• Children will need an adult to help them brush their teeth until about 7 or 8 years of age. It is a good idea for an adult to supervise even after children can physically brush their own teeth.

How to clean your child's teeth guide>>

• Water should be the main drink and children should drink plenty of tap water throughout the day.

• Most of Victoria’s tap water supply has fluoride in it. Fluoride protects teeth from decay.

• Remember that bottled water from a shop may not have fluoride in it.

• Fruit juice and sweet drinks can cause tooth decay.

• Fruit juice with ‘no added sugar’ contains natural sugar which can also cause tooth decay.

• Sweet drinks include: soft drinks, fruit juice, sports drinks, cordials, tea drinks, fruit drinks and energy drinks.

• Diet soft drinks contain acids which can also damage teeth.

• Limit foods high in added sugars. Eating foods with high levels of sugar causes tooth decay.

• Try to avoid sugary foods and snacks in your child’s lunchbox.

• Foods high in added sugars include jams, lollies, biscuits, cakes, sweet muffins, doughnuts, slices, sweet pastries, chocolate and muesli bars.

• Enjoy a wide variety of healthy foods from the five groups every day.

• Fruits and vegetables are an important part of healthy eating.

• Milk, yoghurt, cheese (and their alternatives) are an excellent source of calcium.

• Many common foods and snacks have sugar in them. Eating foods with high levels of sugar causes tooth decay.

• Having regular check-ups can help to spot problems early. Early stages of tooth decay can be treated.

• Find out more about free or low-cost public dental services available for school aged children.

Who is eligible? >>

Find a clinic >>

• It is important that school children get to know their oral health professional.

• Your oral health professionalwill discuss your child’s needs and plan how often your child should have their teeth checked.

• Your child might not always see a dentist – many other ‘oral health professionals’ such as oral health therapists are fully qualified to work on your child’s teeth.

• If your child knocks out a baby tooth, do not try and put it back in place. Contact your oral health professional immediately.

• Trying to replace a baby tooth can damage the adult tooth underneath the gum, or cause problems when it is time for the baby tooth to fall out.

• If a permanent  (adult) tooth is knocked out:
• hold it by the crown (smooth white part) and avoid touching the pointy root.

• Gently rinse the tooth with milk or saline without touching the root. Do not scrub the tooth.

• If the person is conscious, you should gently put the tooth back into the socket.

• Hold the tooth in place by getting the person to gently bite on a handkerchief.

• Contact your oral health professional immediately.

• Custom fitted mouth guards provide the best protection.

• Take the mouth guard to your dental visits to check it still fits well.

• A mouth guard may need to be replaced as changes occur in the mouth, such as when the permanent teeth come through.