A good oral health routine from when your children are young is very important in establishing good oral hygiene habits. In this blog, we will discuss our top oral health tips for babies and toddlers, helping you to ensure they develop beautiful, healthy smiles.
For this Oral health tips blog, we won’t go into detail when it comes to breastfeeding and bottle feeding, however it is commonly accepted that if you can breastfeed, this is best for your baby. Breastfeeding in particular allows your baby to develop proper tongue placement and suckling habits – which is great for the development of their jaws. Read more about this here.
In the first 6 months of your baby’s life, breast milk or infant formula provides all the nourishment they need. Once your baby has finished feeding, it’s important to remove them from the breast or bottle.
When babies fall asleep with a bottle, some of the milk remains in their mouth and on their teeth. Because this can cause tooth decay, and also increase the risk of choking and ear infection. We recommend that you do not allow your child to bring the bottle to bed. Furthermore, this can have a detrimental effect on the shape of the jaws if your child suckles on the teat the whole night – this constant pressure can reshape the jaw into a narrow, V-shaped arch with a large overjet.
Between 6 and 12 months, your baby can progress from drinking from a bottle to a cup. When babies reach the age of 12 months, they should only drink from a cup. There are lots of different cups out there, including the non-spill versions. Using a cup discourages the improper placement of the tongue, again changing the shape of the upper jaw and tongue thrusting.
Water should be your toddler’s go-to drink, making sure they drink tap water throughout each day. For babies aged under 12 months, tap water should be boiled and cooled before drinking.
In Melbourne, our water is fluoridated, which helps protect teeth from decay. In contrast, most shop-bought bottled water doesn’t contain fluoride.
Milk is a good source of calcium which helps make teeth strong and healthy. While babies under 12 months should be drinking breastmilk or infant formula, children aged 1 to 2 years can drink plain full fat cow’s milk.
After 2 years of age, low-fat milk is suitable. Note that flavoured and formula milk may have added sugar which can cause tooth decay.
Fruit juice and sweet drinks can greatly increase the risk of tooth decay and are not recommended for children under 12 months. Important to note, fruit juice with ‘no added sugar’ still contains natural sugar, which can also cause tooth decay. Diet soft drinks contain acids which can also damage teeth. Sweet drinks that should be avoided completely include soft drinks, fruit juice, sports drinks, cordial, tea drinks, fruit drinks and energy drinks.
From 12 month of age, children should be enjoying a wide variety of healthy foods, similar to the rest of the family’s diet. They learn about eating food from watching their parents and other family members and so it’s important to set a good example and create healthy habits. Solid foods are also important for jaw development (improving the jaw shape, size and muscles).
Another interesting fact is that babies don’t have a preference for sweetness. With many common foods containing sugar, it’s actually something they become accustomed to when they consume sweet foods and drinks regularly. We recommend avoiding anything sugary in their formative years.
As your baby’s teeth erupt, you can begin cleaning them by wiping them with a soft cloth or brushing with a small toothbrush and water. At 12 months, you can begin using a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste to brush your child’s teeth. Make sure they spit out the toothpaste after brushing but do not rinse. Some children take a while to get used to spitting out so monitor this closely before proceeding to the next type of toothpaste.
Most children will need an adult to help them brush their teeth and gums twice a day until they reach 7 to 8 years old. Remember, you can floss your babies teeth even if there are lots of gaps. It’s important to establish good oral hygiene habits early.
Your toddler’s first oral health assessment can be provided by a dentist, oral health professional, child health nurse or doctor. Beginning regular check-ups from the age of 2 enables any dental problems to be identified early and treated in its early stages. We also encourage taking X-rays and cleaning their teeth professionally early – which helps develop good oral hygiene habits. Oral Health tips for Babies and Toddlers are important for all parents to know.
Babies are not born with the bacteria that causes tooth decay. Did you know that often parents and carers pass this bacteria to babies? To help prevent this, we recommend that:
At Dental at Keys, we are committed to providing expert care to effectively address your kid’s teeth and gum health. Our approach begins with personalised assessments, where we thoroughly examine your symptoms, jaw, teeth, and bite alignment to identify the root cause of your discomfort.
Using advanced dental technology, we ensure accurate diagnostics to guide the most effective treatment plan. Throughout the process, our compassionate team offers ongoing support, guidance and follow-up care. If you want to learn more about Oral Health tips for Babies and Toddlers, contact us to organise a visit to check your oral health and overall wellbeing with patient-focused, professional care.
Taking your child to the dentist can be a bit stressful—for both parents and kids. However, with the right approach, you can make your child’s dental visits a positive experience and set the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health. To help you out, here are our top five tips for taking kids to the dentist:
Timing is everything, especially when it comes to kids. Choose a time of day when your child is most comfortable, well-rested, and cooperative. If your child is happiest and most alert in the morning, that’s the best time to schedule their appointment. If they’re tired or sleepy, they might be grumpy or uncooperative, making the experience more challenging for everyone. A well-timed appointment sets the tone for a positive visit!
It might be tempting to promise a reward or treat to encourage your child to visit the dentist, but this can send the wrong message. Offering a reward might make them think that going to the dentist is something difficult or scary that requires a bribe to endure. Instead, keep the focus on how visiting the dentist is a normal part of staying healthy. Reinforcing that dental check-ups are a routine activity helps children view the experience more positively, without attaching fear or anxiety to it.
It’s completely normal for kids to feel nervous or shy during their first dental visit. They may even cry, but that’s okay! The first appointment is mostly about familiarizing them with the environment, the dentist, and the equipment. The bright lights, whirring sounds, and different smells are all new, so it’s natural for them to feel unsure. By the end of the visit, many children are already more comfortable, and by the second visit, they’re often running into the chair with excitement. Patience and positivity go a long way in helping your child feel at ease.
Before their appointment, prepare your child by talking to them about the dentist in a simple and positive way. Avoid going into too much detail to prevent unnecessary worry. There are excellent children’s books featuring popular characters like Peppa Pig or Dora the Explorer that show what a dentist visit is like, making it seem fun and non-threatening. These stories help familiarize children with the idea of visiting the dentist in a way that’s relatable and engaging. Just remember to keep the conversation light and upbeat to avoid sparking any anxiety.
When it comes to explaining dental procedures or treatments, leave it to the experts! Dentists who specialize in treating children know exactly how to explain things in a way that won’t frighten or overwhelm them. For instance, instead of saying “injection,” which may instantly trigger fear, we use playful terms like “sleepy juice” to make it sound less intimidating. This approach not only keeps the child calm but also builds trust between the dentist and the child. Sometimes, this technique works for adults too! 😄
Taking your child to the dentist doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By scheduling their appointment at the right time, keeping conversations positive, and allowing the dentist to guide them through the process, you can help your child feel more comfortable and even excited about going to the dentist. With time, regular visits will become a natural part of their routine, helping to build a strong foundation for lifelong oral health.
A little patience, preparation, and positivity can make all the difference!
Book with your local Family Dentist here in Keysborough now!
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