Start tooth-brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, to prevent tooth decay.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR BABY’S TEETH
Remember…
- Healthy teeth allow your toddler to eat, speak and smile.
- Baby teeth keep the space for permanent teeth, so they need to be looked after.
- Your child’s baby teeth will appear any time from birth to 27 months.
- Start tooth-brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, to prevent tooth decay.
- Teething problems can include pain and irritability.
- Have good oral hygiene to avoid passing tooth-decaying bacteria to your baby.
- If your baby goes to bed with a bottle, ensure it only contains water.
About baby teeth
Healthy teeth allow a toddler to:
- Eat a nutritious diet;
- Speak properly; and
- Have a healthy smile.
Baby teeth also help to maintain the space for the permanent teeth. Early loss of a baby tooth can reduce the space for a permanent tooth, resulting in crowded permanent teeth. The timing of the appearance of baby teeth can vary greatly.
Toothbrushing
Toothbrushing with a small soft toothbrush should start as soon as the first tooth appears. Introduce a small pea-size amount of low dose fluoride toothpaste after your baby turns six months in non-fluoridated areas and after 18 months in fluoridated areas. Low fluoride toothpastes created especially for children under six years of age are available in most supermarkets. (Fluoridated areas are Townsville/Thuringowa, Moranba, Mareeba, Bamaga, Dalby).
Children only require a small amount of fluoride toothpaste and should not be allowed to dispense toothpaste themselves. Children should be assisted with toothbrushing until they are about 7-8 years old.
Teething problems
Some babies and toddlers may experience teething problems such as:
- Red, swollen gums;
- Irritability and restlessness;
- Flushed cheeks or fever;
- Dribbling;
- Finger and fist-sucking.
Mild teething problems may be eased by letting your baby chew on objects such as crusts of bread, rusks or teething rings. Rubbing your child’s gums with your finger or applying a small amount of teething gel may also help to ease teething pain.
How to prevent infant tooth decay
- Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle containing anything other than water.
- Try introducing the use of a cup from about 6-12 months of age.
- The best drinks for baby are breastmilk, formula or water.
- If using a dummy, do not add flavouring.
- Never clean a teat or dummy in your mouth.
- Brush teeth when they first come through with a wet small soft toothbrush.
- Ensure all family members have good oral health to stop the transmission of bacteria to the baby. They can do this by brushing their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
The information above was provided by Queensland Health.
