Taking Care of New Teeth
It is important that these first teeth are kept healthy, as they each keep a place for the adult teeth that come later. The natural loss of a baby’s first teeth and arrival of adult teeth usually happens between the ages of six years and 12 years. The first adult teeth to appear are four molars. They come in behind the baby molars7.
Ways to keep mouth, teeth and gums healthy from a young age include:
- Brushing: As soon as your baby’s first teeth begin to appear you can clean them using water and a soft child sized toothbrush. From 18 months onwards, children should start brushing teeth twice a day with a small amount of children’s toothpaste8. Make brushing fun and part of your child’s daily routine to maintain good oral hygiene habits from early on.
- Healthy eating: Healthy eating and drinking plenty of water will help keep teeth and mouth hygiene healthy. Food and drinks high in sugar should be avoided where possible as this increases the chances of tooth decay.
- Dental check-ups: Regular dental check-ups are generally recommended once your baby’s first tooth starts erupting or when your child reaches 12 months of age – depending on which comes first9.