Sugar & diet · Children’s diet
Children’s diet & teeth
A few simple habits go a long way.
Children’s teeth are protected by the same simple habits as everyone’s: a good routine, sensible timing of sweets, and the right toothpaste for their age. Here are the essentials.
Build a twice-daily routine
Help your child clean their teeth twice a day — in the morning and last thing at night. A steady routine is the single most protective habit.
Keep sweets and sugary drinks to mealtimes
Avoid snacking on sweets or sugary drinks between meals. If they have sweets, keep them to one day a week or to mealtimes — it’s the frequency of sugar, not the treat itself, that causes decay.
The right toothpaste and brush
- Under 3s need a children’s toothpaste; once they can spit most of it out, they can move to an adult brand.
- Choose a small-headed brush — children often like character brushes.
- Electric brushes with timers and tunes help encourage the full two minutes.
- A two-minute timer or a motivational app makes brushing fun.
There are free apps — such as Brush DJ and the Oral-B Magic Timer — that help children brush for long enough and build the habit. See our children’s section for more.
Healthy habits for life
Start early and keep it simple — routine, timing, and making it fun.