Dental care for children

dental care

for children

Teaching your child how to take care of their teeth and gums is an important part of their overall health care. This includes helping them to brush their teeth twice a day, showing them how to floss, helping them make good food choices and taking them to a dentist for regular check-ups.

1. Start early

Most children get their first teeth between the ages of six to twelve months. It’s a good idea to start your child’s dental care as soon as their first tooth comes through, and most dentist recommend children have their first dental visit by the age of two. Starting early helps you to teach your child about oral health care. It also gives your dentist a chance to monitor your child’s dental development.

2. Teach your child

Teaching your toddler how to care for their teeth helps to give them a great start in life. As well as helping your toddler to brush their teeth, it’s also a great idea to let your child watch you brush your teeth. This will give your child lots of opportunities to talk about teeth and dental care. It will also help you to educate your child on the importance of good oral hygiene.

3. Brush twice a day

Toddler teeth need to be cleaned twice a day, so it’s a good idea to set up a morning and before-bed evening routine. It’s best to use a small, soft toothbrush that is designed for children under two years. If your child is younger than 18 months, it’s ok to just clean their teeth with water and a soft brush. When your child is aged two and over, a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste is a good option, unless your dentist suggests a higher fluoride strength. Your child will probably be able to hold the toothbrush themselves by the age of two years. This helps them to feel involved in the process. Remember, though, your child will need help and supervision to clean their teeth until they are about eight years old.

Tooth Arrival Chart

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4. Floss between teeth

Flossing between teeth is also an important skill to teach your child. This can be done with either floss, or an inter-dental brush. Flossing helps to remove food from between the teeth and plaque from around the gum-line. Show your child how to floss and help them to do it one a day after the age of two.

5. See a dentist

Generally children should see a dentist by the time they’re one year old or when their first tooth comes through, whichever happens first. After that, your dentist will let you know how often to bring your child for a check-up (usually every 6-12 months).

Watch this video to find out tips on how to look after children’s teeth by Kerrie - Dental Assistant at DPV Health.

Need a dental check-up?

Call 1300 234 263 to book or CLICK HERE for more information.