Your baby’s teeth will appear any time from birth to 27 months old, and as soon as they appear a lifetime of good oral hygiene begins to prevent tooth decay both now and in the future.
Did you know that teeth are the only part of your body that can’t regenerate? Healthy teeth allow your toddler to eat, speak and smile so they need to be looked after properly. Caring for baby/toddler teeth is important as they keep the space for permanent teeth.
Taking Care of Your Baby’s First Teeth
When teeth first arrive, a toothbrush, even a small one isn’t very practical. So grab a soft washer or cloth, dampen it and gently wipe the teeth over twice per day.
Taking Care of Your Toddlers Teeth
As soon as your baby’s teeth appear, brush them with a child-sized, soft toothbrush. Clean their teeth daily because plaque (a sticky, invisible film of bacteria and left-over food) will form in your baby’s mouth just as it does in your own.
Low fluoride toothpastes created especially for children under six years of age are available in most supermarkets or pharmacies.
Children only require a small amount of fluoride toothpaste and should not be allowed to dispense toothpaste without supervision. Toothpaste should be kept out of reach of children.
Parents should assist the child in the brushing of their teeth until they are about eight years of age.
Your oral hygiene could affect the oral health of your baby
Newborn babies do not have the bacteria in their mouth that can cause tooth decay. Anyone, including the mother, can pass bacteria that causes tooth decay on to a baby through sharing spoons or cleaning a dummy or bottle in their own mouth.
It is important for parents to have good oral hygiene brushing twice a day with a small soft head toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to reduce or eliminate the chance of passing bacteria to your baby.
Infant tooth decay is a Thing
Infant tooth decay occurs soon after the first teeth appear. Infant tooth decay occurs more often when children are given bottles containing sugary drinks, such as juice, cordial and soft drink. Infant tooth decay is less common in breastfed babies.
Tips to prevent infant tooth decay
- The best drinks for your baby are breastmilk, formula or water.
- Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle containing anything other than water.
- As soon as your baby’s teeth appear, brush them with a child-sized soft toothbrush.
- Ensure all family members have good oral health.
- If using a dummy, do not add flavouring. Never clean a dummy in your mouth, as this will transfer bacteria from your mouth to your baby.
- Try introducing a cup from about six months of age and try to stop bottle use from about 12 months of age.
