Dental Health Resources

1. Build Good Brushing Habits Early

Starting young is key. The earlier you introduce your kids to the routine of brushing, the more likely it will become a natural part of their day (like eating, sleeping, and Bluey). Begin as soon as that first tooth pops out. Use a clean wet facecloth or a soft baby toothbrush without toothpaste to gently clean their teeth. Make it a consistent part of their morning and bedtime routines. Include some fun in the routine, like singing a silly teeth song or telling a funny story – whatever it takes to make brushing time enjoyable and expected.

2. Choose the Right Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Not all toothbrushes and toothpaste are created equal, especially when it comes to kids. Let your child pick out a toothbrush featuring their favourite character or in a fun colour. This gives them a sense of ownership and excitement about brushing. For toothpaste, our advice is:

Children under 18 months – no toothpaste.

Children 18 months to 6 years – small pea-sized portion of toothpaste.

Children from 6 years on – pea-sized amount of regular, fluoride toothpaste.

3. Lead by Example

If you’ve ever accidentally let a curse slip you’ll know, kids are natural mimics. If they see you brushing and flossing regularly, they’re more likely to want to do the same. Make family brushing time a thing! Brush your teeth together in the morning and before bed (I know they go to bed earlier than you, but this has the bonus of reducing your late-night snacking). Show them how you brush every tooth, front and back, and don’t forget to floss. Your enthusiasm and commitment to dental hygiene will inspire them to follow suit.

4. Explain Why It’s So Important

As a parent or carer of little ones, “But, why?” is probably something you’ve heard more than once. Kids are curious creatures. And often want to know the “why” behind everything. If asked, take the opportunity and time to explain why brushing their teeth is crucial. Tell them how it helps keep their teeth strong, prevents cavities, and keeps their smile looking bright and beautiful. You can even get creative – describe the “sugar bugs” that live on their teeth and how brushing helps to chase them away. When kids understand the reason behind brushing, they’re more likely to do it willingly. There are also many great children’s books available to explain why caring for teeth is important.

5. Make Brushing Enjoyable

Brushing doesn’t have to be boring. With a little creativity, you can turn brushing time into a fun time with your kids. For example, there are apps with fun songs and games to keep them entertained while they brush. Reward charts can be incredibly effective – let your child earn a sticker or a small prize for brushing twice a day (but don’t make it a sweet!). You can also make up brushing challenges, like “Who can make the most bubbles?” or “Let’s see who can brush all their teeth the cleanest!”. Use a timer to ensure they brush for the recommended time.

6. Visit Your Dentist

Dentists are our allies, and you want your kids to know this. Start regular visits early, ideally by their first birthday, to help them get accustomed to the dentist’s office. This may seem unnecessary but getting them familiar with visiting and having their teeth checked by a dentist will help avoid resistance when they’re older. If you’ve ever had a bad experience with a dentist, you’ll appreciate that the choice of dentist is vital as first experiences leave lasting impressions. Choose a paediatric dentist who specialises in treating children – they often have kid-friendly offices with toys, games, and a gentle approach. These visits not only ensure that your child’s teeth are developing correctly but also reinforce the importance of dental hygiene from an early age. Plus, your dentist can provide tips and tricks tailored to your child’s needs.

To brush up the main points… (I had to do it)

While it may seem unnecessary to spend time caring for new teeth, it can save your child the pain and suffering of tooth decay. Incorporating these strategies can transform toothbrushing from a dreaded chore into a fun and positive experience for your kids. By building good habits early, choosing the right tools, leading by example, explaining the importance, making it enjoyable, and visiting the dentist regularly, you’ll set your kids on a path to a lifetime of healthy smiles. And more importantly, avoid the pain and cost of dental issues suffered later in life. So, commit to healthy teeth and a brushing routine, turn on that favourite song, grab those colourful toothbrushes, and let the brushing begin!

1. Building a Strong Foundation

Baby teeth, or primary teeth, serve as placeholders for adult teeth. They guide the permanent teeth into their proper positions. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely due to decay, it can lead to crowding or misalignment of the adult teeth (crooked teeth). Establishing good dental habits early on sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

2. Preventing Tooth Decay and Pain

Just like adult teeth, baby teeth can get cavities. Tooth decay can cause significant pain and infection, which can spread to other parts of the body. Cavities in baby teeth can lead to the need for fillings, crowns, or even extractions, which can be traumatic for young children. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups help prevent decay and keep those tiny teeth healthy and pain-free.

3. Supporting Proper Speech Development

Baby teeth play a critical role in your child's ability to speak clearly. They help with the proper pronunciation of words and the development of speech patterns. Missing or damaged teeth can interfere with speech development, leading to potential issues with speech. Keeping baby teeth healthy help enable your child to speak confidently and clearly (important for their education and socialisation).

4. Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits

Healthy baby teeth are needed for chewing and biting food properly. Pain from tooth decay or missing teeth can make it difficult for your child to eat a balanced diet, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies. Ensuring your child's baby teeth are healthy supports their ability to enjoy a variety of foods (like fruit and vegetables) and maintain good nutrition.

5. Promoting Self-Esteem and Confidence

Dental problems, like visible decay or missing teeth, can make children feel self-conscious about their appearance. And at such a vulnerable age, we don’t want to set them up for a lifetime of insecurities. By taking care of their baby teeth, you're helping them feel good about their smile and encouraging positive social interactions.

6. Establishing Positive Dental Experiences

Early dental care helps your child become comfortable visiting the dentist and reduces anxiety about dental appointments. Positive experiences with dental care providers can lead to a more cooperative attitude toward dental visits in the future. This habit of regular dental check-ups, established early on, can continue throughout their life, ensuring long-term oral health.

How to Care for Your Child's Baby Teeth

Now we know why it's important to care for baby teeth, here are some tips to keep those tiny pearly whites in tip-top shape:

Start Early: Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth as soon as their first teeth appear by wiping their gums with a soft, damp cloth. Once more teeth emerge, use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush.

Brush Twice Daily: Brush your child's teeth twice a day – in the morning and before bed. Make it a fun and engaging routine.

Floss Daily: Once your child's teeth start to touch, begin flossing daily to remove plaque and food particles between teeth.

Regular Dental Visits: Schedule your child's first dental visit by their first birthday and continue with regular check-ups every six months.

Healthy Diet: Limit (or avoid) sugary snacks and drinks, and encourage a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and unflavoured dairy products.

Lead by Example: Show your child how you take care of your teeth. Brush and floss together to make it a family activity.

Finishing with a Smile

Yes, looking after your child's baby teeth is incredibly important (although we understand it can also be incredibly challenging). These tiny teeth play a big role in their overall health and development. By prioritising their dental care from an early age, you're setting them up for a future filled with healthy, confident smiles. And help them avoid the pain and discomfort of tooth decay and gum disease.

So, grab those toothbrushes, make dental care a part of their daily routine and fun, and help your child develop habits that will benefit them for a lifetime! It’s an investment in their future health.

We understand. We treat thousands of patients every year and hear the stories of how it impacts people’s lives.

But here’s the thing. Most tooth decay is avoidable.

Preventing tooth decay isn’t that hard. It just requires a little bit of consistent effort to brush and floss for a small fraction of your day (5 minutes out of 1440).

And avoiding things that decay your teeth.

But often the sugars that harm our teeth are hidden in popular food and drinks to increase their flavour (and the company’s profits) at the expense of our health.

So which foods do we need to avoid to keep our teeth healthy and decay free?

Let's uncover just how much sugar is packed into common items we consume daily and understand the threat they pose to our teeth.

Sugary Drinks: Your teeth’s worst enemy.

Sugary drinks are among the worst culprits when it comes to tooth decay. A single can of soft drink can contain up to 40 grams of sugar – that's about 10 teaspoons! Even fruit juices, often considered healthy, can be just as sugary, with some brands containing over 30 grams per serving (about 6- 8 teaspoons). Sports drinks and energy drinks are also packed with sugar, often ranging from 20 to 40 grams per bottle. Even sweetened teas and flavoured coffee drinks aren't innocent, with many containing upwards of 25 grams of sugar per serving. And water cordial contains 4 ½ teaspoons of sugar per serve.

By simply replacing these drinks with water you can save your teeth (and money).

Lollies and Sweets: Sticky Scoundrels

It's no secret that sweets are high in sugar, but the sheer quantity can be shocking. A standard chocolate bar can have around 20 grams (5 teaspoons) of sugar. Hard lollies (which have about a teaspoon of sugar in each lolly) and lollipops, dissolve slowly, bathing the teeth in sugar for extended periods, increasing the risk of decay. Caramels and chewy candies are particularly problematic as they stick to teeth, providing a constant sugar source for bacteria.

Limit the eating of lollies and sweets to special occasions. Also straight after eating them wash your teeth with a glass of water, eat some cheese, or brush your teeth.

Baked Goods: Sweet Treats with a Hidden Cost

Baked goods like cakes, cookies, pastries, doughnuts, and muffins are often loaded with sugar. A single doughnut can contain up to 15 grams of sugar, one sweet biscuit has about 2 teaspoons of sugar, while a slice of cake can have over 30 grams (5 – 8 teaspoons). These sweet treats, often enjoyed as snacks or desserts, contribute significantly to our daily sugar intake, accelerating the decay process.

Instead, choose to snack on cheese, fruit, dark chocolate, or nuts.

Breakfast Cereals: Snap, crackle, toss

Check the label! Many breakfast cereals, especially those marketed to children, are shockingly high in sugar. A serving can contain anywhere from 10 to 20 grams of sugar, sometimes more. Granola bars and cereal bars, often considered convenient and healthy options, can also pack in over 15 grams of sugar per bar, making them a less-than-ideal choice for dental health.

Oats have no added sugar and Weet Bix has only 3 grams per 100 grams making them both teeth-friendly breakfast options (and oats are inexpensive as well!).

Processed Snacks: Savory but Sweet

Even savoury snacks aren't safe from hidden sugars. Crackers, chips, and other processed snacks may contain added sugars to enhance flavour. While these amounts may seem small per serving, they add up quickly, especially with frequent consumption, contributing to overall sugar intake and dental issues.

Swap out for cheese, nuts, plain yoghurt, or fruit.

Sauces: The Hidden Sugar Bombs

Sauces like tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, and salad dressings can be surprisingly high in sugar. A tablespoon of tomato sauce contains about 4 grams (one teaspoon) of sugar, and barbecue sauce can have even more. These hidden sugars can significantly contribute to tooth decay if used generously.

Flavoured Dairy Products: Moo-ving Up Your Sugar Intake

Flavoured yogurt and sweetened milk can also harbor high sugar levels. A small cup of flavoured yogurt can contain up to 20 grams of sugar, while sweetened milk products can have similar amounts. These seemingly healthy options can contribute to the risk of cavities and other dental issues.

Unflavoured milk is the better option and add flavouring to natural yoghurt, with fresh or stewed fruit (don’t go adding sugar).

Why do we need to avoid sugary foods when they taste so good?

Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria in our mouths feed on sugars, producing acids that erode tooth enamel. The more sugar we consume, the more fuel we provide for these harmful bacteria, leading to an increased risk of cavities and gum disease.

Chewing over the final thoughts

Understanding the hidden sugars in our everyday foods and drinks is the first step toward better dental health. By making informed choices and limiting sugary consumption, we can protect our teeth and maintain bright, healthy smiles.

Children's teeth are more susceptible to decay so we need to be extra careful about the sugar they consume so we don’t set them up for a lifetime of dental problems.

Check the labels on the food you or your children are consuming. Remember, it's not about cutting out sugar entirely but being mindful of where it hides and how often we indulge. And rinse your teeth after you eat something sugary.

Avoiding the pain, embarrassment, and financial cost of tooth decay and gum disease is something we can all do.