2024 Dental Health Week | Things NEW PARENTS AREN’T TOLD about BABY’S ORAL HEALTH!
By Marnie Adams, Contributor @ Kids In Perth | In Collaboration with the Australian Dental Association 19 Jul 2024
Video/Image Credit: Australian Dental Association, Facebook, YouTube, Online.
So often with new babies, the focus is on breastfeeding, developmental milestones and sleep, and new parents are often in the dark about teeth care for their bubs.
For 2024 Dental Health Week (5 to 11 August ), one of the many messages from the Australian Dental Association (ADA) is to remind Australian parents of the oral hygiene basics for children: brush twice a day, floss daily, eat a diet low in sugar and see your dentist regularly.
This may seem obvious, but the stats surrounding children’s oral health are alarming: 34% kids aged 5-6 have had tooth decay in their primary teeth, 70% kids aged 9-13 consume too much sugar, and 27% children aged 5-10 have untreated tooth decay.
The lack of infant oral healthcare information may contribute to these stats - so what are the oral healthcare basics for babies and toddlers?
Before babies get their teeth, parents may choose to wipe their baby’s gums with a clean, damp muslin cloth to remove food particles once they start solids. Once the first tooth arrives, start using a soft bristled toothbrush and water to brush with, not toothpaste.
Video/Image Credit: Australian Dental Association, Facebook, YouTube, Online.
“Toothpaste doesn’t need to be introduced until 18 months, unless otherwise advised by your dentist,” said the ADA’s Oral Health Promoter and dentist Dr Mikaela Chinotti.
“At this age, start using a fluoride containing children’s toothpaste. The fluoride ingredient is important as it helps to strengthen and protect the teeth from tooth decay.
“After brushing, your child should spit out the excess toothpaste, but they don’t need to rinse the mouth with water. Children are likely to swallow more toothpaste by rinsing than by just spitting out.”
For parents finding the whole brushing routine fraught, there are numerous phone apps that have songs to help your little one to brush for the recommended two-minute length of time. Alternatively play a song your child likes for the two-minute period. For babies with only a few teeth however, this two-minute routine is not necessary at this stage.
In addition to brushing, flossing should start from when your baby has two teeth that touch together side by side, often around the age of two. Your dentist can show you how to floss inside a little mouth and most recommend flossettes for little mouths.
Video/Image Credit: Australian Dental Association, Facebook, YouTube, Online.
The issue of night-time drinks is another area of confusion for some parents. When sleeping, the body decreases saliva production so the milk from a bedtime bottle of formula milk may be left on the teeth without the saliva flow to wash it away. If this occurs repeatedly, it can result in tooth decay.
So if you give your baby a bottle at bedtime, put cooled, boiled water in the bottle if they’re six months or younger. After that age, give them water straight from the tap in their bottle as a bed-time drink and never juice, as the acid in the fruit may also lead to tooth decay.
Your baby’s first dental visit should ideally be when their first tooth arrives or by age one, whichever comes first. And it’s best that this first visit is not due to tooth pain, as this may cause anxiety at future dental visits.
For the first few appointments some parents find putting their little one on their lap as the most comfortable and calming solution for everyone.
At these early dental appointments, the dentist will investigate your child’s mouth to examine the teeth and advise the parent or carer on oral hygiene techniques, and provide information on a tooth-friendly diet.
Find more information on this and other oral health topics by visiting the ADA’s dedicated teeth.org.au website.
Do you know Dental Health Week is in August?
Dental Health Week (DHW) is the Australian Dental Association’s (ADA) major annual oral health campaign. It focuses on the importance of taking steps to care for everyone's teeth and gums.
Keep your family's teeth healthy and everyone smiling for life by finding out more about Dental Health Week and booking an appointment with a registered Dentist.
Learn more about Dental Health Week by visiting teeth.org.au/dental-health-week or clicking the shortcut buttons below!
follow Australian Dental Association
Video/Image Credit: Australian Dental Association, Facebook, YouTube, Online.
Additional Content | Kids Activities & More
Find out more about Dental Health Week!
Learning Materials for Educators
Teach your child better Oral Health & Hygiene habits by downloading the Crossword below!
Video/Image Credit: Australian Dental Association, Facebook, YouTube, Online.
Click for more materials!
Are you an educator or teacher looking to discuss dental health during Dental Health Week?
Click the button below to find materials to use in the home or classroom!
Guardians of the Gums story book
Video/Image Credit: Australian Dental Association, Facebook, YouTube, Online.
The ADA created the Guardians of the Gums story book and lessons with SugarByHalf and Cool Australia. These lessons are for early childhood to grade 3 and aligned with the national curriculum.
Pro-Tip Videos
Video/Image Credit: Australian Dental Association, Facebook, YouTube, Online.
ADA's Pro-tip videos for short, animated content that provides step-by-step tips to help care for your family's oral health.
Online Planner | Make Enquiries
Find the right Dentist for your family below!
Nearby Dentists & Orthodontists
Swipe & Click to find out more!
Thank you for using this Kids In Perth guide.
follow Kids In Perth
Featured Competition
Highlights
