Dental health is fundamental to a child’s overall health, wellbeing and quality of life. You might not think about it much, but teeth play a bigger part in your child’s development than you may realise. While children get their teeth at different ages, most babies will get their first tooth by the age of 10 months. One of the biggest myths about dental health is that baby teeth don’t need much attention – why would they? They’ll inevitably fall out anyway. However, the truth is that a child’s teeth play an important role in keeping their entire body healthy.
Baby teeth help your child learn how to eat and talk and are important for shaping their jaw and face. They also help guide adult teeth by keeping spaces for them to come through. Without proper dental care, your child could face health issues the moment their first tooth arrives like dental decay. Dental decay can lead to infections which, without treatment, can cause pain, swelling and early tooth loss. Dental decay can also cause your child to experience trouble eating, speaking and sleeping. Even mild dental issues can impact their concentration.
Dental care done right and done early can set a positive tone for the rest of your child’s life. Here are five ways you can promote better dental health for your child.
1. Drink well
‘Drink well’ is key advice from the Happy Teeth program, which was developed by early childhood specialists and oral health professionals to foster early childhood wellbeing.
Healthy drinks are important for healthy teeth, just like water is essential for good health. Fluoridated (tap) water also helps to strengthen, protect, and repair your child’s teeth.
- Encourage your child to drink plenty of tap water.
- Plain milk is better than flavoured milk.
- Eat fresh fruit instead of drinking fruit juice.
- Limit sometimes drinks (fruit juices, soft drinks, cordials, sports drinks, fizzy drinks, energy drinks, flavoured water and iced teas, flavoured milk and yoghurt drinks.
2. Eat well
Eating well is another tip from the Happy Teeth program, as good nutrition is an important element for developing strong and healthy teeth. Nutrient-rich foods that contain lots of calcium, fibre, phosphorus and vitamins can help protect gums and strengthen the tooth structure. However, eating well for dental health isn’t just about what your child is eating; it’s also about what they’re not. This means that while your child is eating foods like dairy products, leafy greens and meats, they should also be avoiding foods that are excessively high in sugar. Here are some tips to remember when deciding what to feed your child to ensure good dental health.
- Try adding a variety of healthy meals and snacks to your child’s diet.
- Limit “sometimes” foods.
- Avoid adding sugar and salt.
- Limit package snacks such as biscuits and bars.
- Dairy products like cheese and plain milk can help prevent tooth decay.
- Try playing with your child – when you’re playing “shops”, try pretending you’re going to the supermarket to select and buy healthy food.
3. Clean well
It’s important not to take brushing your child’s teeth for granted in their early years. Just because baby teeth are destined to fall out doesn’t mean your child’s mouth is immune from plaque. As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, consistent brushing habits are essential for removing plaque and preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
Here are some important things to know about keeping your child’s mouth clean for better dental health.
- Be sure to stay next to your child to help them brush their teeth. Young children are still developing the coordination for brushing on their own and may need help until the age of eight.
- Even if your child is eight years old or older, it’s recommended that you still regularly check that they’re brushing effectively.
- Children under 18 months are not required to use toothpaste. Brush their teeth twice a day with water.
- Children 18 months and older should clean their teeth twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. They will need a small (pea sized) amount of age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste.
- If you’re struggling to brush your child’s teeth, especially when they’re under 18 months old, because they hate the sensation of a toothbrush, you can wipe the teeth using a moist washcloth or piece of gauze.
- Prevent your child from licking or eating toothpaste.
4. Check well
Everyday life can still affect your child’s teeth even if they have good eating, drinking and cleaning habits. It’s important to visit the dentist regularly to help identify and prevent dental issues and diseases before they become serious. Children should have their first dental check-up by their second birthday and then at least once every year.
Here are some things to remember while maintaining good checking habits:
- Check your child’s teeth regularly for signs of tooth decay. This might include brown or white marks on their teeth that do not rub off.
- Remember that tooth decay can start soon after a tooth first appears.
- Keep an eye out for irregularities such as swelling or infection (pus or a “pimple” in the mouth).
- Make a dentist appointment as soon as possible if your child feels pain or discomfort in their mouth.
You can also access public dental clinics by checking within your local area and set up referral network – you may be eligible for a free dental check-up!
If your child is not eligible for free public dental care or the CDBS, seek care from a private dental practitioner. Private dental practitioners charge fees that may be reimbursed by private health cover. More information about public dental services.
Getting the most out of your child’s first visit to the dentist
- Let your child watch an older sibling or you have a dental check-up.
- Schedule appointments for the morning so tiredness is not a problem.
- Talk about what will happen at the dentist. For example: counting teeth and learning to care for them.
- If the child is unsure, have them sit on the parent/carer’s lap in the dental chair for a dental check-up.
- Avoid using words such as “drill” or “needle”.
- Let the dental team know of any medical condition or past experiences that might affect the child’s behaviour.
5. Live well
Good dental health also includes how we treat out teeth throughout the day. For your child, their teeth and mouth might not be a priority, and depending on their activities they may damage their teeth without realising it. Damaged teeth can cause your child a lot of pain and can be expensive to repair. Here are some things you and your child should keep in mind when you leave the house in the morning:
- Avoid biting or chewing excessively hard objects, even hard lollies.
- Do not use teeth as a multi-tool. Do not open bottles, can tabs and packets with your mouth, and avoid using your teeth to break off tape or bite off loose thread.
- Always wear a mouthguard when playing relevant sport, like football, hockey and boxing.
- Always keep a clean toothbrush in a toiletry bag for your child. It can be very harmful to your child’s teeth if they go days without brushing on holiday because their toothbrush was left at home.