How to look after your child's teeth

Start Good Habits Early

Healthy primary teeth and gums develop when good habits are set up early in life.

These habits are:

• A healthy diet – it is best to limit the number of times sugar is eaten during the day and restrict sugary snacks to mealtimes.

• Drinking water, rather than soft drinks.

• Regular teeth cleaning: twice a day with a fluoride tooth paste.

• Use of fluoridated water.

Clean Your Child's Teeth

Begin cleaning your child's teeth as soon as the teeth come through. Your baby's teeth can be cleaned by wiping them with a clean face washer. Introduce a toothbrush at around 12 months of age. It should be an infant size with soft bristles. Clean children’s teeth twice a day, once after breakfast and then again last thing before

bedtime. Introduce low dose fluoride toothpaste at approximately two years of age. It is best not to swallow toothpaste. Smear a pea size amount of low fluoride toothpaste across the brush. For children under two years of age, simply wet the brush with water. Ask your dental professional to show you how to help your child brush teeth. Young children find tooth brushing difficult. You need to help them for a few years until you are sure they can do it well.

 Use Dental Floss

Dental floss is used to clean between the teeth. Flossing is useful when teeth are crowded together. Flossing of teeth daily reduces the possibility of between surfaces dental decay. Flossing children's teeth can be difficult but it is worth the effort, especially for children who are more likely to get dental decay.

 When to Visit Your Pediatric Dentist?

Problems with primary teeth can affect a child's permanent teeth. Regular dental visits will help make sure your child's teeth are healthy. It also allows your child to get used to dental examinations early in life, and feel more confident about them. Don't wait for a problem. Regular dental checkups are important. The Child Health Record recommends two dental checks by three and a half years of age. From school age, routine dental visits should be every one to two years.