Gum Health Resources for children, parents and teachers

Understanding the Importance of Good Oral Hygiene from an Early Age

Good oral hygiene is a vital part of a child’s overall health and wellbeing. Teaching children from an early age about the importance of brushing their teeth, visiting the dentist regularly and caring for their gums helps set the foundation for healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

From the moment a child’s first tooth appears, oral care becomes important. Early brushing helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and painful infections, which can affect a child’s ability to eat, speak and concentrate at school. Establishing a routine of brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste encourages children to take responsibility for their own health as they grow.

Regular dental visits are equally important. Seeing a dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist from an early age helps children become familiar with the dental environment, reducing fear and anxiety later in life. The dental team can also identify potential problems early, offer preventive treatments, and provide guidance to parents and children on proper brushing and flossing techniques.

Caring for the gums is often overlooked but healthy gums are essential for strong teeth. Teaching children to brush gently along the gum line and, when appropriate, to floss, helps prevent gum inflammation and builds awareness of complete oral care rather than focusing only on teeth.

Parents and caregivers play a key role by setting a positive example. When children see adults practicing good oral hygiene and speaking positively about dental care, they are more likely to adopt these habits themselves. Making oral care fun by using colourful toothbrushes, songs, or reward charts, can also motivate young children.

Teaching good oral hygiene from an early age is an investment in a child’s long-term health. With proper brushing, regular dental visits and gum care, children can develop strong, healthy smiles that support their confidence and wellbeing throughout their lives.

A fantastic resource for children, parents and teachers

As part of our Gum Health Day celebrations in 2025, BSP launched a competition inviting members to develop creative ways to help promote this important campaign. Entrants were encouraged to think imaginatively, with the only requirement being the inclusion of one of the official EFP Gum Health Day slogans.

The winners of the Patient Forum Choice Award, Hollie Nend and Frances Hodson, impressed judges with a wonderful children’s book built around the slogan “Gums Rock! Keep Smiling!”.

Inspired by their practice’s location on the Jurassic Coast, the story introduces young readers to dinosaur friends Spot and Stripe. Through engaging illustrations and simple, child-friendly language, the book explains the importance of brushing your teeth, visiting the dentist and caring for your gums. It also introduces the concept of periodontitis, explained in an accessible and age-appropriate way.

Research suggests that using accurate terminology with children and introducing new concepts early helps build understanding over time. If we are explaining what something is, it makes sense to use the correct word from the start. Just as nursery-aged children learn about the metamorphosis of a butterfly, introducing the term periodontitis can help reinforce the importance of looking after teeth and gums from a young age.

In addition to the beautifully illustrated story, Hollie and Frances have also created a clear and engaging toothbrushing infographic. This practical resource provides helpful guidance for children, parents and teachers alike.

Both resources are free to download using the links below.

Hollie and Frances were delighted to win the Patient Forum Choice Award and pleased to know their work would help promote good oral health. They commented:

“We are passionate about creating resources that help children and their parents feel comfortable and engaged when learning about gum health, rather than overwhelmed by clinical information. Preventing gingivitis is important not only for general health, but also for reducing long-term costs to patients and health services.

The dinosaur theme was inspired by last year’s EFP theme, ‘Gums Rock’. Living near the Jurassic Coast, we wanted to build on this idea by using fossils and dinosaurs as characters to share key gum health messages in a fun and memorable way.”

Frances Hoson & Hollie Nend

BSP would like to thank Hollie and Frances for allowing us to host these excellent resources on the BSP website and make them available to members and visitors. The Society looks forward to sharing them with key stakeholders over the coming months.