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Kids baby teeth may only be around for a short time, but they’re more important than you might think.
The health of your kids baby teeth is essential for their developing gums and for their permanent teeth which are growing underneath.
Starting your kids off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come.
It will also help prevent future problems such as interfering with their speech, self-image and general social functioning as they get older.
Taking care of your kids baby teeth
10 tips to help look after your kids baby teeth
1. Start gentle brushing when your baby's first baby tooth comes through their gums.
2. Use a soft, small-headed brush or finger brush and only the tiniest amount of fluoride toothpaste or natural toothpaste that has been approved for babies.
3. By having your baby sit or lie on your lap, both facing the same direction, you can get easy access to their mouth to help make it easier when you're brushing.
4. Once your baby is a toddler you might like to brush their teeth in front of a mirror so they can see what you're doing. Stand next to or behind them while you are both facing the mirror, and reach around to brush their teeth.
5. Brush your kids teeth twice a day, morning and night. Brush after breakfast in the morning and last thing at night. Try to brush for 2 minutes each time.
6. Dentists recommend to spit the toothpaste out after brushing and not to rinse your kids mouth so that the toothpaste residue keeps fighting plaque overnight.
7. Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line and brush gently by moving the brush back and forth in short, tooth-wide strokes.
8. Your toddler may like to brush their teeth themselves, but make sure you are with them to prevent choking and to ensure all teeth are being cleaned (outside, underneath and inside, upper and lower jaws).
9. Check your kids toothbrush regularly and replace it every 3 months or soon after the bristles start to wear out.
10. Try to enrol your kids at a school/community dental clinic before their first birthday. Early enrolment and their
first visit to the dentist provide the best opportunity to meet their oral health needs. Contact your local DHB for more information.
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