Caring for your child's teeth

Key messages

• Baby teeth often start to appear around 9 months old.
• Symptoms of teething can include drooling, rubbing the gums, being irritable, mouthing objects and biting.
• First dental visits are recommended when the first teeth appear in the mouth.
• Start using a toothbrush when the first teeth arrive in the mouth.
• You do not need to use toothpaste for your child until they are 18 months old.
• Check your child's teeth at home by lifting their lips and looking at the surface of the teeth.

Look out for brown, black or white spots that cannot be removed.

Good oral health care starts in infancy. It is key in the early childhood years to set your child up for good oral health during their life.

The Australian Dental Association recommends children visit the dentist for the first time when the first teeth arrive in their mouth.

Baby teeth development

Baby teeth are the teeth you have during childhood. These teeth begin developing while your baby is still in the womb.

Baby teeth often start to appear around 9 months old. However, this can range 3 to 12
months. However, if your child does not have any teeth by 12 months of age, it is best to have a check-up with a dentist. It is normal for the teeth to arrive in any order. But the middle bottom teeth are often first. All 20 baby teeth usually arrive by age 3, and last until 10-12 years of age.
Sometimes a baby can be born with a tooth. This is called a natal tooth.

Symptoms of teething

Your baby may show symptoms of teething as early as 3 months old. Symptoms can include:
• drooling
• rubbing the gums
• being more irritable than usual
• mouthing objects
• biting.

Some symptoms should not be linked to teething straight away. These can include:

• difficulty sleeping
• a loss of appetite
• coughing
• rashes
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• seizures
• a very high fever

It is best to see your doctor if your child has these symptoms to rule out other illnesses.
 
When your child is teething, it can be difficult to make them comfortable. Some suggestions include:

• attention and cuddles
• teething rings or washcloths that are cold but not frozen
• rubbing the back of a cold spoon over their gums
• giving them a dummy

Use of teething gel is not recommended.

Check out The Australian Dental Association's website www.teeth.org.au for more information on caring for young children’s teeth and soothing teething discomfort. Article supplied by Australian Dental Association.

Visit our stall (G16) at the PBC BABY Expo in Melbourne (October 5 - 6) and pick up our fridge magnet that contains key oral health milestones!