Caring For Your Children's Teeth

Proper dental hygiene begins in childhood & the onus falls on the parents to ensure children's teeth are properly cared for.

Regular dental visits are a must for all children once the milk teeth begin to erupt.

Milk teeth:

Also known as deciduous teeth, the first milk tooth appears between 6 & 9 months of age. The first to appear are the the lower front teeth.  Your child will have 20 milk teeth which should have all erupted by around 2.5 to 3 years of age.

Milk teeth begin to be replaced with adult teeth around 6 years of age.

Adult teeth:

There are 32 adult teeth. The first one appearing as the milk teeth begin to fall out (around 6 years of age). Below is a list of what teeth erupt when;

• First molars  between six and seven years
• Central incisors  between six and eight years
• Lateral incisors  between seven and eight years
• Canine teeth  between nine and 13 years
• Premolars  between nine and 13 years
• Second molars  between 11 and 13 years
• Third molars (wisdom teeth)  between the ages of 17 and 21 years.

Cavities:

Dental plaque is a sticky biofilm composed mainly of bacteria.
When exposed to sugar & carbohydrates these bacteria produce acid. This acid causes cavities (holes in the outer layers of the tooth) to form.

Teeth cleaning:

As soon as your baby's first tooth appears  you should clean their teeth. Your children's teeth should be cleaned twice a day, after breakfast & prior to bed. Children must be taught how to clean their teeth properly to ensure all plaque is removed from the teeth. Toothpaste should be spat out & not swallowed.

Use  a specially formulated low fluoride children's toothpaste for children over 18 months of age & children's toothbrush (these are smaller with soft bristles). Use toothpaste sparingly, you only need an amount about the size of a pea. Your child's toothbrush should be changed every 12 weeks or sooner if the bristles become frayed. For babies under 18 months, use a baby toothbrush & some water.

Properly supervise your child's tooth brushing until they are around 8 years of age & have demonstrated the ability to properly clean their own teeth.

Disclosing tablets contain a red dye which shows up any remaining plaque on the teeth. These can be of assistance in teaching your children to thoroughly clean their teeth & areas which can sometimes be missed during brushing. These should be available from your local chemist or dentist.

It is a good idea to wipe your baby's gums with a damp washcloth after each feed prior to the eruption of the first teeth.

Dental floss:

Flossing is an important aspect of dental care as it removes food & plaque from between the teeth, which is difficult to get at with a brush alone. Flossing should begin when your child is 4 years of age.

Dos & donts

• Don't let your child go to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice.
• Do use a toothpaste especially formulated for babies & children.
• Do avoid sugary sweets & snacks.
• Do avoid sugary drinks & juices. If you do give juice, water it down.
• Don't dip pacifiers in anything sweet such as honey or juice.
• Do feed your children a well balanced diet.

When to visit the dentist:

• Twice a year for routine checkups, this should begin around 13 months of age.
• Immediately if your child has a fall & the teeth are knocked.
• Immediately if your child loses a tooth in an accident.
• Immediately if your child complains of a toothache.
• If you notice bleeding from the gums.
• If you notice any dark spots/cavities.
• Don’t clean a dummy that has been dropped by putting it in your mouth. This transfers bacteria from your mouth onto the dummy. Rinse it under a tap instead.
• Do set a good example by properly caring for your own teeth.

Did you know that you  transfer bacteria from your mouth to your child’s when you kiss them? This is another important reason to look after your own oral hygiene properly & see your dentist regularly. Sharing of feeding utensils, cups etc. should be avoided.

What to do if your child accidentally loses a tooth?

Carefully handle the tooth, avoiding touching the roots. Store it in milk or water & seek dental attention immediately. The tooth may be able to be re-inserted into the mouth.  

Please note:

The medical articles on this site have not been written by a medical professional & should not be considered a replacement for a dentists visit. The articles are provided for informative purposes only.

Always seek immediate medical advice for any problems.

While great care has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.