Baby teeth development
Baby teeth develop while babies are still in the womb. Newborns have a full set of 20 baby teeth hidden in their gums.
For most babies, teeth begin to appear between 6 and 10 months. But in some children, teeth appear as early as 3 months. In others, they don’t arrive until around 12 months. A very small number of children are born with 1-2 teeth. Most children have their full set of baby teeth by 3 years of age.
Baby teeth can arrive in any order, although the lower incisors are often first, followed by the upper incisors. The first molars are usually next, followed by the canines and second molars.
Teething in babies
Teething is when baby teeth start to come through the gum. This causes discomfort in some babies.
Babies sometimes rub their gums together when new teeth are starting to come through the gum. This isn’t usually a problem.
Many people think that ‘teething’ babies also:
- cry a lot or seem more irritable than usual
- don’t feed as well as usual
- suck on objects like toys, dummies and bibs
- have more dirty nappies more often
- pull the ear on the same side as the tooth coming through.
These signs might be caused by teething – or they might just be part of development or a result of minor infections and illnesses. If your baby isn’t well, it’s always best to take your baby to your GP, especially if your baby also has a fever or diarrhoea or you’re worried about any other symptoms.
Baby teething: things to try
If you’re concerned about your baby’s teething, here are things to try:
- Gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger. Make sure to wash your hands first.
- Give your baby something to bite on, like a toothbrush, a dummy or a cold but not frozen teething ring.
- Give your baby mushier foods, which need less chewing.
- Give your baby something firm, like a sugar-free rusk, to suck on.
Teething gels aren’t usually recommended because they probably don’t help to ease pain. They can also have harmful side effects like poisoning, because it can be difficult to control the dose.
If your baby still seems unhappy or uncomfortable, it’s time to see your GP or child and family health nurse. Teething might not be the problem.
Dental care for baby teeth and gums
As soon as the first tooth appears, clean your baby’s teeth using a soft infant toothbrush designed for children under 2 years. If your baby doesn’t like the toothbrush in their mouth, you can use a clean, damp face washer or gauze to wipe the front and back of each tooth.
Use only water on the toothbrush until your baby is 18 months old, unless a dentist tells you to do something else.
Cleaning and caring for children’s teeth early on sets up good dental care, dental health and dental hygiene for life.
How to clean baby teeth properly
- Position your baby so you can see their mouth and they feel secure. It might help to sit on a bed or the floor with your baby lying down so that their head is on your lap.
- Cup your baby’s chin in your hands, with their head resting against your body.
- Lift your baby’s lip to clean teeth using soft, circular motions.
- Make sure you spend time on the front and back of each tooth and the gum line.
You can help your baby feel more comfortable with teeth-cleaning by giving them an infant toothbrush to play with and put in their mouth while they’re in the bath. Just make sure to supervise your baby while they’re playing with their toothbrush. And you can make brushing more fun by singing songs or letting your baby play with a toy.
How to keep a baby toothbrush clean
After cleaning your baby’s teeth and gums, rinse the toothbrush with tap water.
Store the toothbrush upright in an open container to allow it to air-dry.
You should replace toothbrushes every 3-4 months or when the bristles get worn or frayed.
Diet and feeding tips to prevent early tooth decay
Diet and feeding are important parts of preventing tooth decay and caring for your baby’s dental health.
Give babies only breastmilk or formula until you introduce solids at 4-6 months. Breastfed and formula-fed babies older than 6 months can also have small amounts of water. Avoid giving your baby sugary drinks like soft drink or fruit juice. Once you introduce solids, also avoid giving your baby foods high in sugar.
Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk. This can lead to tooth decay because the lactose in the milk promotes growth of the bacteria that cause tooth decay. And when your baby is asleep, there’s less saliva in their mouth to protect their teeth from this. Also note that putting your baby to sleep with a bottle is a choking risk.
If your baby likes a dummy, don’t dip it in food, sugar or liquids like honey.
Visiting a dentist: a key part of baby dental care
Dentists can help you look after your baby’s teeth and gums and make sure they stay healthy.
It’s good for your baby to see a dentist at around 12 months of age or when their first tooth comes through, whichever happens first.
You can talk to your dentist about how often your baby needs a check-up. Dentists usually recommend every 6-12 months.
Depending on your baby’s needs, your baby might also see other dental health professionals like dental therapists, dental hygienists, oral health therapists or paediatric dentists.
Dental care for children in Australia
In Australia, children can get dental care in the public system or private system.
The public dental health system provides basic dental care, which is often free or subsidised.
The private dental health system provides both basic and specialist dental care. This usually costs money. Private health insurance and other schemes might partly cover the cost of private dental care.
If you’re eligible, the Australian Government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule covers basic dental care for children aged 0-17 years at most private and public dental services.
You can visit your state or territory health department website or Teeth.org.au – Government dental care to find out about public dental services near you. You can also search online to find private dental services near you.