We Asked a Dentist the Questions you've Been Too Tired to Google Properly

If you've ever stood over the bathroom sink at 7pm, toothbrush in one hand, wriggling toddler in the other, wondering if you're doing any of this right — you're not alone, and you're probably doing better than you think.

Our friends at Matchstick Monkey put the questions parents ask most to Dr Saul Konviser, a London-based general dentist with a particular passion for children's oral health and a trustee of the Dental Wellness Trust. We're sharing his answers here.

"When should I actually take them to the dentist?"
Earlier than most people assume — by their first birthday, or as soon as that first tooth appears. It's less about treatment at this stage and more about getting your child comfortable with the dentist's chair before there's ever a reason to worry. A first visit that's calm and uneventful sets the tone for years of easier ones.

"How much toothpaste am I actually meant to use?"
Under 3 years old, a grain-of-rice amount is genuinely all you need. It's easy to assume more is better, especially when you're trying to cover every tooth, but a tiny smear does the job — and it's easier for little ones to manage without a mouthful of foam turning brushing into a battle.

"How long should brushing actually take?"
The target is 3–5 seconds per tooth, but as Dr Konviser puts it — just do your best. Two minutes of a squirming toddler is an aspiration, not a daily reality, and a shorter brush done consistently beats a perfect one that never happens.

"When do I need a new toothbrush?"
Every 2–3 months is the general rule, but let the brush tell you too — splayed or flattened bristles are your cue to swap it out sooner, particularly with the enthusiastic chewing most teethers put their brushes through.

A small local note: whilst we do have a number of private paediatric dentists on the island, there's no single automatic reminder system the way there is for GP checks — so that first dental visit is genuinely one worth putting in your own diary rather than waiting for a nudge.

None of this needs to be perfect. Consistency matters more than technique, and a toothbrush that actually gets used beats the "right" one gathering dust in a drawer.

If you want the fuller picture — from finger brushes to first bristled toothbrush, and how to make the whole routine less of a wrestling match — we've put together a proper guide: Toothbrushing 101, coming soon on the blog. Worth bookmarking for the day the first tooth actually shows up.