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Oral health advice for parents and carers - Toothbrushing at home

Fluoride toothpaste helps to keep teeth strong.

  • Children can use a fluoride-containing (1000 -1450ppm F) toothpaste
  • Brush your child’s teeth twice a day, especially last thing at night before bed
  • For children under 3 years, use only a smear of toothpaste
  • For children over 3 years, use a pea-sized amount
  • Children under 8 years need help with brushing 
  • Don’t let them rinse afterwards, just get your child to spit out the toothpaste
  • SPIT DON’T RINSE is the most effective way to use fluoride toothpaste
  • Remember to take your child’s brush and paste with you when you visit family and friends and when you go on holiday
  • Even if your child joins a nursery/school toothbrushing programme, it is still important that they also brush their teeth at home twice a day, especially last thing before bed!

The Welsh Government’s Parenting website provides advice on what to do if your child won’t allow you to brush their teeth.

Page last reviewed: 31st March 2026