Your teeth are changing
Around your age, milk teeth fall out and grown-up teeth come in. These new teeth have to last for the rest of your life.
Milk teeth matter too. They hold space for the new teeth and help you chew and speak.
How to brush
Brush twice a day, in the morning and before bed, for about two minutes each time.
Use a soft toothbrush and a small, pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brush gently in small circles on the fronts, backs and chewing surfaces of every tooth.
Spit out the toothpaste afterwards. You do not need to rinse with lots of water, because a little toothpaste left behind keeps protecting your teeth.
Food and your teeth
Germs in your mouth love sugar. They turn it into acid that makes holes in teeth, called cavities.
Sweets, toffees, cold drinks and sticky snacks are best kept for special times, like festivals, and eaten with a meal rather than all day.
Water, milk, fruits, vegetables and crunchy foods are good for teeth. Rinse your mouth with water after eating sweets.
Visiting the dentist
A dentist can check your teeth, clean them and find small problems before they become big ones.
If a tooth hurts, your gums bleed often, or you hurt your mouth while playing, tell a grown-up so a dentist can take a look.