5 Essential Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Health for Children Ages 3-5

Caring for your child's teeth is an important part of their health and well-being. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 can learn habits that will keep their teeth healthy and strong for life.

Here are 5 Tiny Teeth Tips to help you make sure your child's tiny teeth stay healthy and strong:

1. Brushing

   Establishing a routine for oral hygiene is very important at this age. Children should brush their teeth, with the help of a parent or caregiver, twice a day (once in the morning and once before bed).

   
   

   A soft-bristled, child sized toothbrush should be used along with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a green pea.

   

   Saskatchewan Prevention Institute (2025)

   Children must be supervised during their tooth brushing to make sure that they do not swallow the toothpaste.

   
   

   Helping Your Child Learn to Brush Their Teeth

   
   

   Teaching your child how to brush their teeth properly is an important part of a healthy smile.

   🪥 Show them how to hold the toothbrush and angle the bristles toward their gums.

   

   Saskatchewan Oral Health Coalition Inc. (2020)

   🦷 Teach them how to clean all parts of their teeth—the front, back, chewing surfaces, and even their tongue!

   🔄 Encourage them to brush in gentle circles instead of hard scrubbing.

   
   

   Since they are still learning, help guide their hand or take turns brushing together.

2. Flossing

   
   
   
   

   

   Saskatchewan Prevention Institute (2025)

   
   

   Start flossing your toddler's teeth daily when their second molars have fully grown in. These molars can appear as early as 18 months!

   🪥 Daily flossing helps keep little teeth clean and cavity-free.

   ✨ Floss wands or floss holders can help make flossing easier!

   
   

   

   Saskatchewan Oral Health Coalition Inc. (2020)

   
   

3. Nutrition and Oral Health

   Promote traditional Indigenous diets and reduce the amount of sugary snacks and drinks. Too many sugary snacks and drinks throughout the day can cause cavities. It is not how much sugar your toddler eats that cause cavities, but the number of times a day they snack or sip on sugary foods and drinks.

   
   

   Teach your child the importance of drinking water, which helps protect teeth from Early Childhood Tooth Decay. Encourage your child to choose water instead of a sugary drink to keep teeth healthy and strong.

   

4. Fluoride Varnish and Routine Check-ups

   Regular check-ups are an important part of your child's dental health. Fluoride Varnish can continue to be applied 1-2 times each year. The Canadian Dental Association recommends annual dental checkups as an important part of preventing Early Childhood Tooth Decay.

5. Lead By Example

   Children learn best by watching their parents, caregivers, or Elders. When they see you taking good care of your teeth, they are more likely to imitate the behavior.

   
   

   By setting a positive example, you are helping your child build lifelong healthy dental habits. Making brushing fun with songs or games creates an enjoyable routine and encourages them to care for their smile every day. Strong and healthy teeth start with good habits!

Government of Saskatchewan (2014); Government of Saskatchewan (2020); Saskatchewan Dental Public Health Network & Saskatchewan Ministry of Health (2015); Saskatchewan Dental Therapists Association (2020); Saskatchewan Oral Health Coalition Inc. (2020) Your child's dental health and you; Saskatchewan Prevention Institute (2025)