The main reason children under nine in the UK are admitted to hospital is not due to an accident or illness. It’s actually something many parents may not immediately associate with a hospital visit – tooth decay. According to recent figures, tooth decay remains the leading cause of hospital admissions among children aged five to nine¹, with almost nine in 10 children in this age bracket requiring a tooth extraction due to decay¹.
While these figures are sobering, September can be the perfect time for a fresh start. As children head back to school, families are already getting back into more structured routines – from earlier bedtimes and packed lunches to new school uniforms and timetables. It’s also a great opportunity to introduce, refresh or reinforce healthy oral care habits that can become part of everyday family life.
“Most parents I see genuinely care about their child’s oral health and are working hard to implement good habits,” says Derbyshire-based dental hygienist Emma Nelson. “But let’s face it – sometimes it can feel like a bit of a battle! Getting children to brush thoroughly, encouraging them to make healthier choices and introducing flossing can all take a little patience and persistence.”
The good news is that there are several simple steps parents can take to support their child’s oral health and help establish positive habits that can last a lifetime.
Make it a routine
Encourage children to brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste. Brushing can be introduced from a very early age, as soon as the first tooth appears. Making toothbrushing part of the morning and bedtime routine can help children understand that it is simply another everyday activity, just like getting dressed or putting on their pyjamas.
For younger children, parents may need to supervise or help with brushing to make sure all areas of the mouth are cleaned effectively. As children become more independent, encouraging them to take an active role can help them develop confidence and ownership of their oral care routine.
Healthy, happy lunchboxes
Back-to-school lunchboxes are another opportunity to support healthy teeth and gums. Water and milk are great alternatives to juice or sugar-sweetened drinks, while fruit, vegetables, yoghurt or cheese can provide more tooth-friendly nibbles³.
It can also help to think about how frequently children are consuming sugary foods and drinks throughout the day. Keeping these to mealtimes, rather than having them regularly between meals, can help reduce the amount of time teeth are exposed to sugar.
Remember to clean between
“Parents are increasingly recognising that oral care goes beyond a toothbrush,” continues Emma. “Cleaning between the teeth is a vital part of keeping teeth healthy. As children’s teeth move closer together, cleaning between them can help remove plaque from spaces a toothbrush cannot reach.”
As children grow, gaps between baby teeth can become smaller and teeth can become more closely positioned. This means that brushing alone may not reach every area effectively. Introducing children to cleaning between their teeth as part of their regular routine can therefore help them develop a more complete approach to oral care.
Make it fun!
This is where DenTek’s Kids Fun Floss Picks are designed to make cleaning between tight baby or adult teeth easier for little hands, while the kid-friendly fruit taste can make the experience more appealing to children. No more yukky mint reaction!
With brightly coloured handles and no sharp pick ends, the clever design takes some of the fuss out of flossing and provides a simple way for parents to introduce and reinforce good oral care habits from an early age.
Making oral care more enjoyable can also help take some of the pressure out of those daily battles. Whether that means letting children choose their own toothbrush, turning brushing into a two-minute challenge or introducing fun, child-friendly flossing products, small changes can make a big difference when it comes to creating habits that stick.
A fresh start for healthy smiles
September is the ideal time to hit reset and establish a fresh bathroom routine. By building simple, consistent habits around brushing, healthy food and drink choices, and cleaning between the teeth, parents can help give their children the foundations for good oral health as they grow.
And once those habits become part of the everyday routine, there’s less need for reminders and negotiations – leaving more time for what childhood is really about: learning, playing and growing, with a healthy smile along the way.