• a small-headed toothbrush with soft bristles
• a family fluoride toothpaste (1,350 to 1,500ppm fluoride). For maximum protection from tooth decay, use a smear of toothpaste.

Before your child's third birthday, all 20 baby teeth should have arrived, ready for smiling, talking and eating.

• Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, usually around six months.
• Brush twice a day: at bedtime and one other time during the day, using a smear of toothpaste.
• At three years, change to a small pea-sized amount. Brushing at bedtime is important as it helps the fluoride continue to protect the teeth while your child is asleep.
• Replace the toothbrush once it becomes out of shape. With teeth coming through, babies love to chew.
• Apply toothpaste to a dry toothbrush.
• From an early age, encourage your child to spit out excess toothpaste and not rinse afterwards.
• Always keep toothpaste out of the reach of small children.

For further advice, please contact either your health visiting team or your dentist.

Please remember that sugar is the main cause of tooth decay. Milk and water are the only tooth-friendly drinks.

• Visit the dentist before your child's first birthday.
• Children who visit the dentist twice a year from an early age become familiar and confident with the dental surgery and team.
• Take your Medway Smiles passport with you to each dental visit and you will be presented with a Harvey Bear sticker to add to your passport.
• Please keep the passport in the inside pocket of your child's Red Book.