Children’s Oral Hygiene in Midland

Giving your child’s smile a healthy start

Healthy adult teeth begin with strong, healthy baby teeth.
Even though your child’s primary teeth will eventually fall out, they play an important role in speech, chewing, and guiding adult teeth into their correct positions. Keeping them clean and decay-free sets the foundation for lifelong oral health.

At Helena Street Dental in Midland, we encourage parents to help their children build good oral hygiene habits early — making brushing and dental visits a normal part of everyday life.

Why are baby teeth so important?

Baby (primary) teeth hold the space for permanent teeth to grow in properly.
If they fall out too early due to decay or damage, the surrounding teeth can shift, leading to misalignment or crowding when adult teeth come through.


Caring for your child’s baby teeth helps prevent these issues and reduces the likelihood of needing orthodontic treatment later on.

How to care for your child’s teeth by age

Before teeth appear

For babies without teeth, gently wipe their gums with a clean, moist cloth after feeds. This helps remove milk residue and bacteria that can build up on the gum line.

18 months to 6 years old

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a smear (rice grain-sized amount) of low-fluoride children’s toothpaste.
• Brush twice a day — morning and night.
• Help your child with brushing, as young children often don’t have the coordination to clean effectively on their own.

From 6 years and older

• Use a pea-sized amount of standard fluoride toothpaste.
• Encourage your child to brush for at least two minutes, twice a day.
• Make brushing part of their routine — after breakfast and before bed.

How can parents help with brushing?

Even as children grow older, they often need a helping hand to brush thoroughly. Try the following tips:

• Stand behind your child and guide their hand while brushing.
• Gently go over their teeth after they’ve had a go themselves to make sure no spots are missed.
• Teach them to spit out toothpaste rather than swallow it — and there’s no need to rinse afterwards, as this helps the fluoride stay on the teeth longer.
• Replace their toothbrush every three months, or sooner if the bristles start to fray.

Encouraging good habits

Making oral care fun and consistent can help children build lifelong habits.
You can:

• Use a reward chart or timer to make brushing more engaging
• Brush together as a family to set a good example
• Praise their effort rather than perfection
• Keep healthy snacks like fruit, cheese, and nuts available instead of sugary treats

Small daily habits can make a big difference to your child’s long-term oral health.

Need help or advice?

If you’d like guidance on brushing techniques, toothpaste selection, or your child’s oral health routine, our friendly team will be happy to help.


📞 Call us on (08) 9250 3100 or


📍 Visit us at 2/42 Victoria Street, Midland WA 6056.


You can also book online anytime.

At Helena Street Dental in Midland, we’re here to support families in building strong, healthy smiles — one brushing routine at a time.