Toddler teeth development
First teeth usually 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. All 20 baby teeth usually arrive by the time children are 3 years old.
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.
Common toddler teeth issues include teething. Teething is when baby teeth start to come through the gum. Teething can cause children to rub their gums together. Many people think that teething causes other things too, like irritability and diarrhoea. These things might happen because of teething, but they might also be part of development or a result of minor infections and illnesses.
Dental care for toddler teeth and gums
Toddler teeth need cleaning twice a day – in the morning and before bed.
Use a soft, small toothbrush designed for your toddler’s age. Use water on the toothbrush until your toddler is 18 months old, unless a dentist tells you otherwise. From 18 months to 3 years, you can start using a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste, unless a dentist recommends otherwise.
Your toddler can start helping to clean their teeth at around 2 years of age. Letting your toddler hold the toothbrush with you will help them feel they’re part of the action. But your child needs your help and supervision with cleaning teeth until they’re about 8 years old.
How to clean toddler teeth
You might like to try the following routine when brushing your toddler’s teeth:
- Stand or sit behind your toddler so that they feel secure. Brushing teeth in front of a mirror is good too, because it lets you see your toddler’s mouth.
- Cup your toddler’s chin in your hands with their head resting against your body.
- Angle the bristles of the toothbrush towards the gum. If you’re using a manual toothbrush, move the brush in gentle circles. If you’re using an electric toothbrush, move the brush gently across the teeth.
- Brush the outer and inner sides of the teeth and along the gumline. Brush along the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
- Gently brush your toddler’s tongue.
- Encourage your toddler to brush without swallowing. When your toddler starts using toothpaste, get them to spit it out. There’s no need to rinse after brushing – the fluoride toothpaste left behind protects your toddler’s teeth.
Your toddler might like to brush their own teeth, so you can let them have a go first. After they brush, you can finish and make sure all tooth surfaces are brushed properly.
How to brush toddler teeth without a fight
Toddlers often don’t want to spend time brushing their teeth, but even a quick brush is better than no brush at all. It helps your toddler learn that brushing teeth is part of the daily routine.
Toddlers are more likely to go along with cleaning teeth if it’s fun. Here are ideas:
- Sing while you’re brushing. You could try ‘This is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth’.
- Pretend the toothbrush is a train. You could try saying ‘Toot toot chugga chugga’ as you move the brush around your toddler’s teeth.
- Let your toddler play with their favourite toy while you’re brushing.
Cleaning and caring for children’s teeth early on sets up good dental habits for life.
How to choose toddler toothbrushes and keep them clean
Choosing a toothbrush
It’s important to choose a toothbrush designed especially for children aged 2-5 years. These toothbrushes have small, oval heads, soft bristles, and non-slip, cushioned handles. They also often have cartoons and fun designs on the handle, which your toddler might like.
Electric and manual toothbrushes are equally good, if you use them properly to clean all the surfaces of all your toddler’s teeth. If you’re deciding between a manual and an electric toothbrush, it’s OK to let your toddler choose.
Keeping the toothbrush clean
After cleaning your toddler’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.
Fluoride and dental health for toddlers
Fluoride is a mineral that keeps teeth strong and prevents tooth decay. Fluoride is safe and works best when your toddler gets it in very small amounts throughout the day from the following sources:
- Toothpaste – your toddler can use a low-fluoride toothpaste from 18 months.
- Tap water – most tap water in Australia has added fluoride.
Healthy eating is an important part of preventing tooth decay. Avoid giving your toddler sugary foods and sugary drinks like fruit juice, soft drink and flavoured milk. Don’t put your toddler to bed with a bottle of milk. And don’t dip dummies into food, sugar or liquids like honey.
Visiting the dentist: a key part of toddler dental care
Children should visit the dentist to have their teeth checked by about 12 months or when their first tooth comes through, whichever happens first. This can help your child get to know the dentist and feel more comfortable about dental check-ups. It also gives you and your dentist a chance to talk about your child’s needs and plan your child’s dental care.
Talk to your dentist about how often your toddler needs a check-up. Dentists usually recommend every 6-12 months.
Depending on your toddler’s needs, your toddler 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 that 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.