How do my baby’s teeth develop?

Your baby is born with 20 primary teeth (also called milk or baby teeth) in their jaw. Your baby’s first teeth usually start to appear when they are 6 months old. Your baby will continue teething until about 2 to 3 years of age.

Your child’s baby teeth are very important. They help guide their permanent (adult) teeth into the right place in their jaw. It is important that you start caring for your child’s teeth and gums from an early age, even before they start teething.

How do I clean my baby’s or toddler’s teeth?

Start cleaning your baby’s gums with a clean, moist gauze pad or washcloth when they are just a few days old. As your baby grows, how you brush their teeth changes.

Cleaning your baby’s teeth up to 17 months old:

• Start brushing your baby’s teeth with a soft brush as soon as they appear.
• Use water without any toothpaste.
• Only use toothpaste if your baby’s dentist has checked your baby’s teeth and tells you they are at a high risk of tooth decay.

Brushing your toddler’s teeth from 18 months to 5 years old:

• Your toddler’s teeth should be brushed twice a day using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Use a small pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
• Your toddler should spit out their toothpaste. They should not swallow, rinse, lick or eat toothpaste.
• If your toddler is at a high risk of tooth decay, they may need to use a toothpaste that has higher concentrations of fluoride.

By 9 years of age, your child should be able to brush and floss their own teeth twice a day. Use adult-strength fluoride toothpaste and a small toothbrush with soft bristles. Replace your child’s toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or when the bristles get worn or frayed.

Your dentist or dental practitioner can show you how to use floss properly. Start to use dental floss as soon as your child has 2 teeth that touch.

Why should my child see a dentist or dental practitioner?

It is important you take your child to the dentist from a young age. If they have a positive experience, it can motivate them to look after their teeth.

Your child’s dentist can diagnose and treat any problems early on. This helps prevent complications.

Your child’s dentist can also educate you and your child about:

• good brushing techniques and oral hygiene
• healthy food and drink choices to protect your child’s teeth
• how to manage your child’s symptoms when they are teething
• how habits affect your child’s teeth — for example, if your child sucks their fingers or uses a dummy, it may affect normal growth and development of their teeth and jaw.

When should my child visit the dentist or dental practitioner?

Your child should visit their dentist by the time their first tooth appears or by their first birthday. Regular dental check-ups should continue after that.

You should also take your child to see their dentist or dental practitioner:

• as soon as you think there is a possible dental problem
• if you notice dark spots in their teeth
• before they start playing contact sports
• if the upper (top) and lower (bottom) teeth don’t come together when they bite their teeth together

What can damage my child's teeth?

Your child’s teeth can be damaged by:

• thumb sucking or using a dummy — your child’s bite can be affected if they continue to suck their thumb as their adult teeth appear.
• a diet high in sugary foods and drinks
• not brushing their teeth often enough
• sucking milk from a bottle when falling asleep — when your child drinks milk or a sugary drink, the sugar is converted into acid. The acid dissolves their tooth enamel causing them to develop holes in their teeth.
• some puffers used to deliver asthma medicines can cause problems if the teeth are not rinsed after use

How can tooth decay be prevented?

You can help prevent tooth decay by establishing healthy habits from a young age. By creating healthy habits when they are young, you can help prevent dental problems for your child later in life.

Here are some tips to help you look after your child’s teeth and prevent tooth decay:

• Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as their first teeth appear.
• Limit the amount of sugar your child consumes in their snacks, meals and drinks.
• Feed your child a balanced and healthy diet with wholegrains, fruits, vegetables, proteins and low fat dairy foods.
• Encourage your child to drink water when they are thirsty, rather than juice.
• Avoid giving your child bottles at night with milk or sugary drinks. Do not let them fall asleep with a bottle filled with milk, formula, fruit juice or any sweet liquid.

What are my payment options?

In Australia, your child can get dental care through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) if they are eligible or through private health insurance.

When you book your child’s appointment, you can ask for a quote for the costs of the check-up or treatment.

Private health insurance

If you have ’Extras’ cover through private health insurance this can help with dental costs. Private health insurance policies do not usually cover the full cost of your child’s dental treatment.

The amount that you can claim depends on the specific policy that you have. You may need to make a gap (out-of-pocket) payment. Ask your private health insurer about their preferred providers.

Government funding for children

The CDBS can help pay for some of these dental treatments:

• check-ups and cleaning
• x-rays
• fissure sealing
• fillings
• root canal treatment
• extractions
• partial dentures

Access to CDBS is based on financial need. Services Australia assesses a child’s eligibility at the start of each calendar year. Throughout the year they also routinely check for newly eligible children. You may get a letter stating your child is eligible, either on MyGov or in the post.

Not all dentists or dental practitioners can carry out services under the CDBS. Call Medicare on 132 011 or visit the Services Australia website for more information.

Resources and support

• Find out more about how to care for your infant or child’s teeth at Teeth.org.au. They also provide a guide to choosing a dentist.
• Access the Happy Teeth Program by Queensland Health for more information and resources.
• Learn more about tooth decay in young children at NSW Health.

Other languages

Services Australia has translated information about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule into many community languages.

The Australian Dental Association have translated resources on looking after your teeth into many community languages.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Mob Smiles®, a webpage with resources about how to care for your teeth, was created by First Nations people for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Healthy Smiles for Under 5 is an informative brochure created by the NSW Government for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.