Parents need to brush up on children’s teeth care

MOST parents are unsure how or when to brush their children’s teeth and don’t receive any advice on oral health guidelines until the child is at least five years of age, a survey has revealed.

The survey of Irish parents carried out by a team of researchers from Northern Ireland found that most people do not brush their children’s teeth until the child is more than one year of age, despite most children cutting their first tooth at six months.

However, dental experts recommend that as soon as a child gets their first tooth, parents should use gauze to clean it in order to prevent tooth decay.