Dental disease, including tooth decay, can impact nutrition, growth, and development in children. They often negatively affect the child’s quality of life. Children who have dental disease often continue to have poor oral health as adults.
Development of Teeth
Children get their teeth at different times, but most babies will get their first tooth between six and ten months. Most children will have all twenty baby teeth by the time they are three years old.
Adult teeth replace baby teeth between the ages of six and 12 years. The wisdom teeth are the last teeth to emerge, coming through in the late teens (usually 17-25yrs). Your child will start losing baby teeth around the age of six. Let loose baby teeth fall out on their own.
Sometimes an adult tooth will come through before the baby tooth has fallen out. If this happens and the baby tooth doesn’t fall out after about three months, it is ideal to see your dentist.
Care at Home
It’s important to get children in the habit of looking after and brushing their teeth as soon as the first tooth comes through.
Babies and toddlers under 18 months old
- Adult should brush their teeth twice a day
- Small, soft toothbrush
- No toothpaste
Children aged 18 months to 6 years old
- Adult should help or supervise toothbrushing
- Pea-sized amount of age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste (children’s toothpaste)
Children 6 years old to 8 years old
- Teeth start to fit more closely together
- Encourage flossing in between teeth
- Supervise brushing and flossing
Children over 8 years old
- Encourage brushing with regular adult toothpaste
- Flossing every day
Young children are more likely to clean their teeth regularly if it is a fun activity and part of their usual routine. Some suggestions for keeping young children interested in brushing include:
- Singing songs
- Brushing with others (siblings or parents)
- Using a special toothbrush that they have chosen (it may have characters printed on it or is a favourite colour)
- Giving your child a separate toothbrush to play with (eg. while you brush their teeth, they can brush a teddy’s teeth)
Extensive research supports the safety and benefits of fluoride in preventing tooth decay. In most parts of Australia, tap water is treated and contains fluoride, making it a healthy choice for teeth. Tap water that has been boiled and cooled will still contain fluoride, so is beneficial for babies when used in formula.
Tap water can be offered to children from six months of age and should be the main drink for all children from 12 months old.
The use of fluoride toothpaste is important in preventing tooth decay. The type of fluoride toothpaste used will depend on the child’s age, and their risk of developing dental decay. It is important to discuss this with your dentist.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth break down the sugar from food and drinks to produce acid. This acid damages the tooth surface (enamel) causing it to dissolve and form holes (dental caries or cavities) in the tooth.
If detected early, it is possible to stop decay from getting worse. Early decay often doesn’t produce symptoms, so by the time symptoms appear, tooth decay is in its late stages and may not be fixable. Signs of advanced decay include:
- cavity/hole in a tooth
- toothache
- pain
- sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods
If your child has any signs of decay, you should see your dentist as soon as possible.
Tooth decay may be treated with fillings or crowns, however in more severe cases, your child may need to have a tooth removed.
Tooth decay can be the result of a number of lifestyle factors. Avoiding sugary foods and drinks and brushing twice daily with an age appropriate fluoride toothpaste, remain the best way to maintain healthy teeth in children.
Healthy choices for food and drink will help look after your child’s teeth.
A proportion of Australian children have “hypomineralised teeth”, where the enamel does not develop properly and makes teeth weak and prone to damage. These teeth are often very sensitive and children may avoid brushing these teeth. Dental care for these teeth is challenging. Early detection and management can minimise ongoing need for dental treatment.
When to see the Dentist
It is recommended that all children visit the dentist when the first tooth pushes through or by 12 months of age. Taking a child to the dentist early and when there are no problems with their teeth, allows them to get to know their dentist, have a positive experience and make future visits more familiar.
All children should visit the dentist regularly (every six to 12 months) for a check-up, even if they don’t appear to have any problems. Visiting the dentist regularly can help prevention, early detection, and management of tooth decay, gum issues or other problems.
Government Funding
The Australian Government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) funds a range of dental services including examinations, cleaning, fillings, and root canals at public and private dental clinics. Children aged between 0 and 17 years, who have a Medicare Card and are receiving a Centrelink payment are eligible for CDBS. You can check your eligibility online.