About fluoride
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Fluoride is added to toothpastes to provide protection against tooth decay. It protects and strengthens teeth against acid attacks from bacteria and works in two ways:
- It encourages calcium uptake by the enamel, to repair minor damage (remineralisation).
- It strengthens tooth enamel, to resist further calcium loss (demineralisation).
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
Experts recognise brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, morning and night (especially after the last meal of the day) as the single most important behaviour children can pick up to help prevent cavities.
Brushing morning and night with fluoride toothpaste will not only brush away bacteria, but the extra fluoride left on teeth helps to strengthen and protect them from decay. This can cut tooth decay by up to 50% for children, compared with brushing just once (Pine et al. International Dental Journal 2000; 50: 312–323).
The importance of brushing with fluoride toothpaste at night
Bacteria don’t sleep at night! That’s why having the extra fluoride on your teeth that comes from brushing is really important. As your saliva level drops, your teeth become vulnerable to acid attack.
Brush day and night checklist
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Take the following basic steps every day, and you’ll improve your chances of staying cavity-free and healthy:
- Brush day and night as soon as the first tooth appears.
- Don’t forget to brush at night, as germs never sleep.
- Brush every surface of every tooth. This is why dentists recommend brushing for two minutes, as it takes a long time to clean them all properly.
- Don’t forget the back teeth. This is where most cavities form!
- Use a toothbrush suitable for kids: with a small head, an easy to grip handle and soft bristles. You can choose it with them so that they feel like part of the process.
- Start using fluoride toothpaste by the age of two. Choose toothpaste containing fluoride levels adapted to children. You can get toothpastes that are flavoured specifically for children to assist with this.
- Replace your child’s brush every three months. When it is worn down, it is no longer effective. A ‘splayed’ brush means change your brush.
- Explain to your children that a toothbrush is not shared, even between brothers and sisters, in order to avoid transmission of germs.
- Take your children to the dentist every six months, if possible, even if their teeth don’t hurt. This will help pick up any problems early on, and put things right before there is any permanent damage.
- Try to avoid sugary snacks in between meals.
Find out more about Unilever Oral Care
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