Best Practices for Kids’ Dental Care in Canada
Good oral habits in childhood protect your child’s smile today and set the stage for healthy adult teeth later. The formula is simple: start early, use fluoride the right way, limit sugar, keep routines fun, and see the dentist regularly. Here’s how to do it—step by step—at home in Canada.
What are the best practices for kids’ dental care?
Start oral care before the first tooth. See a dentist by age one. Brush twice daily with age-appropriate fluoride. Floss when teeth touch. Choose tooth-friendly snacks and water. Skip sugary drinks at bedtime. Book pediatric checkups and keep routines fun.
Why kids’ dental care matters
Healthy baby teeth help kids chew, speak clearly, sleep well, and feel confident. Early cavities (tooth decay) are common in Canadian children, but most are preventable. Building habits early makes dental visits easier, reduces costs over time, and helps your child accept care without fear.
“The Canadian Dental Association recommends a first dental visit within six months of the first tooth erupting or by one year of age.” — Canadian Dental Association
Start early: infants and toddlers
Clean gums before teeth appear
After feeds, gently wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth. This removes milk film and gets your child used to mouth care from day one.
First tooth to age two
As soon as the first tooth shows, switch to a baby toothbrush. Use a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste (about a grain of rice). Brush twice daily—morning and night. Sit your child on your lap and support their head to improve control.
First dental visit by age one
Book the first dental visit by the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth. The dentist checks growth, reviews feeding and brushing, and gives you simple tips for home. To understand the value of early care, explore how pediatric dentistry helps build healthy habits early.
Brushing and flossing by age
Age‑by‑age toothpaste amounts and supervision
Under 3: a rice‑sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. From age 3: a pea‑sized amount. Brush for two minutes, twice a day. Most kids need help or close supervision until at least age 7–8. Check the gumline and back molars—they’re easy to miss.
Floss when teeth touch
Start flossing as soon as two teeth touch. Floss picks or small children’s flossers can make it easier for little hands. Aim for once a day, ideally before bedtime.
Want age‑specific motivation ideas? Try these simple strategies in practical tips for teaching kids good dental habits to keep brushing on track.
Food and drinks that protect teeth
What to limit
Limit sugary and sticky foods (fruit snacks, gummies, toffees), frequent snacking, and sugar‑sweetened drinks (juice, soft drinks, sports drinks). Bacteria feed on sugars and make acids that weaken enamel (the tooth’s hard outer layer).
What to offer instead
Make water the main drink. Choose tooth‑friendly snacks: cheese, yogurt, crunchy fruits and veggies (apples, carrots), nuts, and hummus with whole‑grain crackers. After sweet or acidic foods, have your child rinse with water.
Lunchbox tip
Build a balanced lunch: water, one crunchy fruit or veg, a protein (cheese, yogurt, nut butter if allowed), and a whole‑grain item. Keep sweets as an occasional treat with meals—avoid all‑day grazing.
Regular dental visits and preventive care
Checkups every six months (or as advised)
Most children do well with six‑month visits. Higher‑risk kids (frequent cavities, braces, special health needs) may need more frequent checkups. At appointments, your dentist checks growth, cleans away plaque and tartar, and coaches your child on brushing and flossing.
Fluoride and sealants
Fluoride strengthens enamel and can stop early decay. Dental sealants (a thin coating on the chewing surfaces of back teeth) help prevent cavities in deep grooves. Your dentist will recommend what’s right for your child.
Smart daily habits at home
Water after meals
A quick drink of water after eating helps wash away sugars and acids. This simple habit works at school, daycare, and sports.
No bedtime bottles with sugar
Avoid bottles or sippy cups with milk or juice at bedtime or naptime. If a soothing drink is needed, use only water.
Sports mouthguards
If your child plays contact or stick sports, ask about a mouthguard. It helps prevent broken or knocked‑out teeth and protects lips and cheeks.
Common concerns: teething, thumb sucking, and cavities
Teething relief
For sore gums, offer a clean, cool teething ring. You can also gently massage the gums with a clean finger or damp cloth. Avoid numbing gels unless your dentist advises them.
Thumb sucking and pacifiers
These are normal in infants and toddlers. If the habit continues past age four, it may affect tooth and jaw position. Try praise, sticker charts, and gentle reminders. Your dentist can share child‑friendly steps that work.
Cavities (tooth decay)
Decay starts when bacteria feed on sugars and produce acids that weaken enamel. Signs include white chalky spots, brown areas, or sensitivity. Prevent with fluoride toothpaste, daily flossing, a tooth‑friendly diet, and regular checkups. For warning signs and solutions, see common dental problems in children.
Make dental care fun so kids stick with it
Let kids choose
Offer a choice of toothbrush colour or favourite flavour (mint or mild fruit). Small choices build ownership and reduce resistance.
Timers, songs, and apps
Use a two‑minute song, a sand timer, or a brushing app to make time fly. Track streaks and celebrate wins with small, non‑food rewards. For more ideas, see the age‑based advice in easy strategies to teach kids good dental habits.
Family brushing time
Brush together—kids copy what they see. A quick parent check at the end helps catch missed spots, especially along the gumline and back molars.
Fluoride: how much is right?
Fluoride protects against cavities by strengthening enamel. Use a rice‑sized smear under age 3 and a pea‑sized amount from about age 3. Teach kids to spit, not swallow. If you’re unsure about fluoride in your local water, ask your dentist for area‑specific guidance.
Braces and cleaning around them
If your child gets braces, cleaning takes extra effort. Interdental brushes or a water flosser help get around brackets and wires. Extra checkups may be recommended to keep gums healthy and prevent white‑spot marks.
How parents can make routines stick
Kids thrive on structure. Keep brushing at the same times each day. Post a simple chart on the bathroom wall. Use friendly reminders, not pressure. Praise effort, not perfection. Over time, the routine becomes automatic.
When to call a pediatric dentist
Call if you notice pain, swelling, bleeding gums, bad breath that won’t go away, or white/brown spots on teeth. For a deeper overview of early care and positive visits, read Pediatric Dentistry: Building Healthy Habits Early.
Conclusion
Kids don’t need perfect teeth to have healthy mouths—they need consistent, simple habits. Start care early, brush with fluoride, add flossing when teeth touch, serve water and tooth‑friendly snacks, and book regular checkups. Keep it positive and fun, and your child’s smile will benefit for life.
FAQ
When should my child first see a dentist?
By age one or within six months of the first tooth. Early visits check growth, cavity risk, and feeding habits, and help kids feel at ease in the dental chair.
How much toothpaste should my child use?
Under age 3: a rice‑sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. From about age 3: a pea‑sized amount. Teach your child to spit out the paste rather than swallow.
Do baby teeth really matter if they fall out anyway?
Yes. Baby teeth help with chewing, clear speech, and holding space for adult teeth. Early loss can lead to crowding, pain, and more dental work later.
What if my child refuses to brush?
Keep it short and fun. Try music, a sticker chart, or brushing together. Offer choices (brush colour/flavour). If it’s still tough, ask your dentist for hands‑on coaching and habit tips.
Are juice and sports drinks okay for kids?
Limit them. They’re high in sugar and often acidic. Water is best for thirst. If your child has juice, serve it with meals and rinse with water afterward.
How often should kids visit the dentist?
Most children do well with a checkup every six months. High‑risk kids (frequent cavities, braces, special health needs) may need more frequent visits based on the dentist’s advice. For common issues and solutions, see how to prevent and manage common childhood dental problems.
