The health of your baby’s first teeth is as important as the health of their teeth when they grow up. Follow these tips from the Australian Dental Association to keep your baby’s teeth healthy.
Babies can get tooth decay. Without treatment, this can lead to toothache, infection and early loss of teeth.
Signs that your baby is getting a new tooth include frequent crying, a slight fever, reddened cheeks and drooling, sucking or gnawing on toys, loss of appetite and an upset stomach.
Take your baby to the dentist for a check-up within six months of their first tooth coming through, or by their first birthday.
The risk of your baby getting tooth decay can be increased by giving them sweetened flavoured milk, fruit juice or cordial, especially if you do give it to them often or over long periods.
Don’t use fluoride toothpaste until your baby is 18 months old, and then use child-strength toothpaste until they’re six.
Once they’re old enough, brush your child’s teeth with a small, pea-sized quantity of child-strength toothpaste. Encourage them to learn how to brush their own teeth.
Take your kids for regular dental check-ups with a dentist.
If your child’s teeth get damaged in any way, see a dentist right away.
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