Some 44 per cent of five year olds in Britain have already experienced tooth decay. You
can help prevent this by buying the right toothbrush and establishing a regular cleaning regime.
- Toothbrushes are usually sold with an age recommendation for use on the packaging, for example from birth to two years; choose one specifically designed for babies
- Your baby’s first toothbrush should have a long, thin handle that fits in your hand
and helps you to reach around all the teeth, and a small head with soft, rounded filaments - Once your baby wants to have a go himself, buy a toothbrush with a chunky, short handle and finger grips. The head should still be small and the filaments soft. (Remember that you will still need to help with cleaning, though)
- You may find it useful to buy a toothbrush with a coloured area on the filaments to
indicate the tiny amount of toothpaste that is required for cleaning a baby’s mouth - Replace your child’s toothbrush at least every three months, and sooner if the filaments are starting to splay
