Children’s milk teeth care – when to start and how?

Milk teeth don’t just help with chewing – they also play a part in speech development and in shaping the jaw correctly. Although these little teeth will eventually be replaced, it’s vital to care for them properly to keep them healthy now and to support strong, healthy adult teeth later on.

Looking after milk teeth isn’t only about a lovely smile – though that can boost a child’s self-esteem – it’s also about helping your little one learn why oral hygiene matters. Family role-modelling is key here.

When children see us diligently caring for our own teeth and taking regular steps to protect them, they more easily grasp why it’s important. Brushing together can be sweet and fun, building good habits and making regular tooth care feel natural.

In this article, we share tips and advice to help keep those smiles shining.

Milk teeth really do matter!

A common myth is that milk teeth don’t need much care because they’ll fall out anyway. Some also assume that, because their time is short, they won’t decay. Unfortunately, these ideas are incorrect. Milk teeth can deteriorate faster than adult teeth, so a check-up every six months is wise.

The structure of a milk tooth differs slightly from that of permanent teeth

What do milk teeth provide? Thorough chewing, clear speech sounds during language development, and space-holding for the adult teeth to come. Milk teeth can decay, leading to inflammation and spread – just as with adult teeth. And remember: children care about their appearance, so missing or poor-looking teeth can affect confidence and social interactions.

A few facts about milk teeth

There are 20 fully formed teeth lying under a baby’s gums, ready to appear – usually from around 6 months. The eruption order varies from child to child.

Their structure differs from adult teeth: the enamel layer is thinner, so the protective outer shield is more vulnerable. Milk teeth are often bluish-white, unlike the yellowish tone of adult teeth. They’re smaller – matching a child’s jaw – and their roots are finer and slimmer.

We’ve previously written a full article on teething – do have a read!

Milk teeth can decay more quickly

Decay can appear surprisingly fast – a child may have deep cavities even though six months earlier everything looked fine. Because the enamel layer is thinner, it wears and decays more easily. Enamel’s job is to protect against external damage and bacteria; when it’s thinner, wear exposes the more sensitive dentine sooner, and decay reaches the pulp more quickly.

A dentist examines a young child’s teeth

Decay can also start on the contact surfaces between two teeth (approximal caries). This is trickier to spot – especially for parents. Laser caries detectors are now available and can reveal problems in these hard-to-see areas.

Flossing effectively removes food from between teeth and helps prevent decay, but with children it’s often skipped. No surprise – we’re glad if we can manage two proper brushes a day. Children need parental help to floss.

And then there are sweets. We don’t want – and often can’t – ban treats entirely, so the best approach is to brush after sugary foods. Many nurseries brush after lunch, but at home it’s our job to keep an eye on it. Crucially, the evening brush should be the last after eating, with no sugary tea or formula afterwards.

Don’t brush immediately after eating. Right after a meal the enamel surface softens; saliva soon remineralises it. If we brush too soon, we rub away that softened top layer, thinning enamel over time and increasing sensitivity.

What dental problems can children have?

Teething pain
Abnormal tooth eruption
Bite issues from prolonged sucking
“Intrusion” of milk teeth
Missing permanent tooth buds
Crowding, large gaps, overbite/underbite – orthodontic issues
Early childhood caries
Tooth fractures and injuries

Start caring when the first milk teeth appear

This is typically around 6 months. At first, simply wipe the tiny teeth with a clean, chemical-free cloth. If you fancy modern tools, try a soft silicone finger brush from the chemist. The first toothbrush should have a small head, soft bristles and an easy-to-grip handle.

Mum helps her little girl brush correctly

Around 1 year, your child will start exploring the toothbrush – first with water only, then with baby toothpaste. There’s a huge range of toothpastes in shops, so it’s easy to feel unsure. There’s debate about fluoride content – for safe use, ask a professional for advice.

How should a child brush?

They shouldn’t swallow toothpaste, but the taste mustn’t be off-putting. Find a product they’re happy to use. To avoid excess foam, use only a tiny amount on the brush.

The correct brushing technique is the same recommendation as for adults – we’ve covered it in a previous article, so we suggest you read that too.

Can a child learn to love brushing?

With a few simple tricks, there’s a good chance. As noted earlier, brushing together as a family creates a natural routine, which children resist less. Be patient – many of us feel low-motivation about brushing in the evening, too.

Family toothbrushing can lift everyone’s mood!