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Dental advice for children

  



Listen to The Teeth MC's 'Keepin' them clean' rap

Many children suffer from poor dental health e.g. tooth decay (dental caries), despite oral disease being largely preventable. Because tooth decay in the baby teeth can mean that a child will develop tooth decay in the adult (permanent) teeth, it is important that your child adopts good oral hygiene habits early in life. 

This page provides advice and resources for maintaining good oral health in children. 

In this section:

Tooth development and eruption
Thumb sucking
Tooth decay (dental caries)
Teeth grinding in children
Teeth straightening and orthodontics   

Healthy teeth information cards
Caring for your child's teeth video
Children's access to public dental system [PDF, 54KB]
Adventure Playground (oral health website for children)

 

Usual eruption sequence of baby teeth    Usual eruption sequence of permanent (adult) teeth
Click to see full tooth eruption sequence chart

Tooth development and eruption of permanent (adult) teeth

Teething usually occurs between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. Children usually replace their baby teeth at around 6 years of age. Back baby teeth are replaced at 10-12 years of age. If a child’s baby teeth erupted late, the adult teeth will probably erupt late as well.

View eruption chart for baby teeth

Thumb sucking

Most children should stop between 2 and 4 years of age.  Your child’s teeth and the shape of their mouth may be affected if sucking persists after the eruption of adult teeth (6 - 13 years). This can affect your child’s appearance and ability to bite and speak properly. (see the Australian Society of Orthodontics Link opens up in new window)

Seek professional advice on how to assist your child to stop sucking their thumb or fingers. 

PDF download 104KB Further reading and advice on thumb and finger sucking -  (From TEETH: Oral Health Information for Maternal and Child Health Nurses manual)

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Tooth decay (dental caries)

Tooth decay is especially common in children, but anyone who has teeth can get tooth decay (dental caries), including infants and older adults.

When your child consumes food and drinks that are sugary or starchy (high in carbohydrates), the bacteria that naturally live in their mouth and in plaque, break down the carbohydrates into acids. These acids attack and dissolve the outer surface of the tooth (enamel). This process is known as demineralisation.

The first sign of demineralisation is a chalky white spot. At this stage, the decay process can be reversed. If you suspect your child has the start of tooth decay, make an appointment to see your dentist or other oral health professional.

PDF download 119KB Identifying tooth decay (dental caries) - (From TEETH: Oral Health Information for Maternal and Child Health Nurses manual)

More information on cavities/tooth decay and the symptoms Link opens up new window - Mayo Clinic website (Mayo Clinic website)

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Teeth grinding in children

In most cases, children who grind their teeth don’t cause any damage to their teeth. In only a few very extreme cases, where the grinding is very regular, is it likely that your child could cause damage to teeth. If you’re concerned, talk to an oral health professional.

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Teeth straightening and orthodontics

Some children may require orthodontic treatment such as braces or plates to correct teeth and jaw alignment problems such as crooked or crowded teeth.  It can be more difficult to keep teeth and gums healthy with all the wires and brackets needed to move the teeth.

It is vital that children clean their braces and plate every time they brush their teeth. Read about orthodontic treatment >>

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Healthy mouth and teeth information cards

 

Click here to download information cards on looking after your child's teeth

Eat well

Eating a wide variety of nutritious foods is important, especially during childhood when growth and development are occurring.

Click here to view the 'eat well' fact sheet for parents [PDF]

Eat well fact sheet for parents (PDF)
 

Drink well

Encourage children to drink plenty of tap water, especially if you live in a fluoridated area Link opens up in new window - www.health.vic.gov.au website, as this will help fight tooth decay.

Click here to view the 'drink well' fact sheet for parents [PDF]

Drink well fact sheet for parents with children
Clean well

Thorough tooth cleaning twice a day with the correct technique is important to keep the teeth and gums healthy.

Click here to view the 'clean well' fact sheet for parents [PDF]

Clean well fact sheet
 
Play well

If a child plays football, hockey, cricket or any other contact sports where their mouth may be knocked or injured, they need a mouthguard for both training and playing. 

Click here to view the 'play well' fact sheet for parents [PDF]

Play well fact sheet for parents
Stay well

It is important that children develop healthy habits from an early age for healthy teeth and mouths, such as tooth brushing, a nutritious diet, protection from the sun and regular visits to the dentist.

Click here to view the 'stay well' fact sheet for parents [PDF]

Stay well fact sheet for parents
 

Eat well fact sheet for parents (PDF)Drink well fact sheet for parents with childrenClean well fact sheetPlay well fact sheet for parentsStay well fact sheet for parents

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Caring for your child's teeth videos

A check-up for oral health is an education video developed for parents by Dental Health Services Victoria. Find out how to care for your child's teeth and gums and why it is so important.

(Please note: you will need access to YouTube to view these videos)

 

Oral health professionals who would like to enquire about the above videos can contact the DHSV Health Promotion unit on (03) 9341 1203 or healthpromotion@dhsv.org.au.

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Defenders of the Tooth – Adventure Playground

This is an interactive website designed for children to educate and inform them about oral health through colourful interactive games and puzzles.

Visit the Adventure Playground website for kids Link opens up the Adventure Playground website in a new window

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