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Oral health for infant school age (4-7)

Key health professionals involved here: 
  • School nurses
  • Teaching staff.
Looking after teeth and gums

Key messages:

  • Oral health is part of the national curriculum in Key Stage One (KS1) science, Relationships Education, Relationships and Sexual Education (RSE), and Health Education
  • Tooth decay can cause pain, infection, sleepless nights, time off nursery/school, and time off work for parents and carers
  • Small children often need a general anaesthetic to have decayed teeth removed, which can be an unpleasant experience and is not without risk
  • Tooth decay is still the most common reason for hospital admissions in the six to 10-year-old age group

  • If your child is a pupil in reception, year one or two at an eligible school for the 2024 - 2025 scheme, you should have been contacted by the school and received a consent form for their fluoride varnishing

    Please ensure you complete the form, so your child does not miss out on this valuable opportunity to keep their teeth strong and healthy

    Evidence has shown that applying fluoride varnish onto children’s teeth can help reduce tooth decay, especially if accompanied by good tooth brushing habits and a diet low in sugar

    Tooth decay is the main cause of hospital admissions for children in Hounslow. It can cause pain, as well as difficulties eating, speaking, socialising and sleeping, and can lead to school absence.

Linked resources:

Toothbrushing

Key messages:

  • Children aged three and over should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing more than 1000ppm fluoride
  • Use a toothpaste containing 1350ppm to 1500ppm fluoride for maximum prevention.  Most ‘own brand’ supermarket toothpastes are suitable and more affordable
  • Brush all the surfaces of the teeth and gum line in small circles for around 2 minutes, twice a day - just before bedtime and at another time that fits in with your routine
  • Spit out the toothpaste and do not rinse!

Linked resources: 

Visiting the dentist:

Key Messages

  • Adults should have a regular check-up at the dentist at least once every two years, and children at least once a year
  • NHS dental treatment is free for children under 18 or under 19 and in qualifying full-time education
  • Some adults can also get free NHS dental treatment
  • Going to the dentist regularly helps the child become familiar with the dental environment, and allows the dentist to pick up on any problems as early as possible.
  • The dentist can paint fluoride varnish on children’s teeth to protect them from tooth decay.  All children over three should have it applied at least twice a year, and it may also be used for younger children at high risk of tooth decay.  Parents/carers should ask their dentist about fluoride varnish.

  • If your child is a pupil in reception, year one or two at an eligible school for the 2024 - 2025 scheme, you should have been contacted by the school and received a consent form for their fluoride varnishing.

Linked resources:

Diet: 

Key messages:

  • Reduce the amount and frequency of having foods and drinks that contain sugar, only give sweet foods including dried fruit at mealtimes
  • Squashes sweetened with sugar, fizzy drinks, soft drinks, and juice drinks have no place in a child’s daily diet
  • Limit the amount of fruit juice and/or smoothies your child drinks to a maximum of 150mls (one portion) in total per day and drink it with meals to reduce the risk of tooth decay
  • Always ask for sugar-free medicines.

Linked resources: