There’s a lot to think about when you’re raising a little one. From keeping them clothed and fed to helping them learn and grow, they rely on you for everything. With so much on the go, it’s easy for some things – like looking after their teeth – to fall by the wayside.
Besides, a kid’s teeth are different from an adult’s teeth. They’re smaller and there are fewer of them… how much care do they actually need?
Here we take a look at the ins and outs of a kid’s dental care. We explore what your kid’s teeth are doing at different ages and what you need to do to look after them. We also go over how a children’s dentist can help throughout this journey and when you should be visiting them.
Starting Them Early – Dental Care When Your Child is Under 18 Months Old
As with so many parts of their development, your kid’s dental care routine is best set early.
Even before their first tooth has broken through, you can help create a healthy mouth environment by regularly cleaning their gums. This can be done with a clean washcloth and helps remove some of the bacteria from their mouth. It also helps them get used to the sensation of things rubbing on their gums – which can be useful later.
Once their teeth have started to come through (usually between 3 and 12 months), you can graduate from a washcloth to a toothbrush. This should be a special soft brush specifically designed for babies. You should also use only water on it (no toothpaste) unless your children’s dentist tells you otherwise.
Teething can be a tough time for many babies and can cause everything from crying and crankiness to feeding issues. If your kid’s teeth cutting through is causing them grief, you can try gently rubbing their gums with a clean finger. You can also give them something cold (but not frozen) to suck on and should consider switching them to softer food.
Beyond that, helping your kid’s teeth get off to the best possible start is all about diet. Just as it will be when they get older, sugar is the enemy of healthy baby teeth. So, it’s always best to avoid sugary foods – this includes dipping their dummy in honey!
You should also avoid giving your baby a bottle while they go to sleep. While this can help soothe them, it’s actually a choking risk. It also increases the risk of tooth decay as milk may drip into the mouth and, when they’re asleep, there’s less saliva to protect their teeth.
Establishing Your Kid’s Dental Routine (18 months – 6 years old)
As they get older, your kid’s dental care requirements increase. Their teeth will come in (in no particular order) and brushing regularly will become critical. Generally, twice a day is recommended and it’s best to keep an eye on them and give them a hand.
From 18 months old, you can start using a small amount of low fluoride toothpaste on their toothbrush. In addition to cleaning them, this will help protect their teeth from bacteria and decay. As kid’s teeth tend to be softer than adult’s, it’s important to brush gently and in small circular motions.
Toddlers often resist brushing their teeth – sometimes because they don’t like the sensation, sometimes just because they are toddlers. As always, one of the best ways to overcome this resistance is to inject a little fun into the situation. This could come in the form of singing a song or playing a game – whatever works!
Once multiple teeth have come through, you should also add flossing to your kid’s dental care routine. This needs to be done wherever two teeth are next to each other, as this is where decay often starts. If normal floss is too difficult for small hands to use, try flossing tools like Flossettes or Reach Access flossers.
The beginnings of adulthood (from 6 years old on)
From about the age of six, your child’s adult teeth will begin to come in. As part of this, their baby teeth will fall out, which can be both exciting and anxiety-inducing.
While it may be tempting to speed up this process by pulling out loose teeth, this is not recommended. In addition to causing significant pain, removing a tooth before it’s ready can damage the gums and nearby teeth. Instead, it’s better to let any loose teeth fall out in their own time.
As this is a formative time for your kid’s teeth, it’s important to keep up their dental care routine. They should continue to brush twice a day and floss between all neighbouring teeth. They can also graduate to regular toothpaste (possibly the same stuff you use!), as the extra fluoride will help protect their new teeth.
Generally speaking, most kids are able to do their own dental care (i.e. floss and brush by age eight. However, it can be worth continuing to supervise the process, if for no other reason than to make sure that it’s done.
At this point, try to remember that any dental care is better for your kid’s teeth than none. As such, the regularity of their brushing and flossing is as important as their technique. More than anything, at this age, you’re trying to set your kid’s dental care routine and reinforce positive behaviours.
When to Visit Your Children’s Dentist
Throughout this whole process, your children’s dentist will be an important partner in maintaining the health of your kid’s teeth. They can also be an invaluable source of information and a great place to turn for advice.
We recommend making your first visit to your children’s dentist at 12 months or when their first tooth comes through – whichever comes first. To help set your child up for a lifetime of good dental health, we’ll try to make this first visit as fun as possible. For more information on what to expect from this appointment, check out our First Dental Visit page.
This first visit should be the start of regular sessions with your children’s dentist. As kids’ teeth can grow and change a lot, and quite quickly, we recommend check-ups every 6 – 12 months. This will make sure any issues are spotted early and help get your kid’s dental care off to a great start.
You may also need to visit your children’s dentist if there’s an emergency affecting your kid’s teeth. Fingers crossed it doesn’t happen, but little ones are notoriously accident prone, and injuries can happen. The good news is, these usually don’t turn into long-term issues, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Book your children’s dentist appointment today!
Whether it’s their first visit, a regular check-up, or an emergency, Keys Dental can help look after your kid’s teeth. We provide a range of specialist services and know how to keep everyone happy, comfortable, and smiling. For more information on our children’s dentistry services, check out the Keys Kids page.
