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The average child has a full set of 20 primary teeth by the age of two to three years. The first visit to the dentist should be within six months of the eruption of the first tooth or by the child’s first birthday.

The appearance of primary teeth is commonly called ‘teething’, and many babies experience discomfort during teething.

Most babies are irritable when new teeth break through their gums. Signs and symptoms of discomfort include:

• Diarrhoea
• Sucking or gnawing on toys
• Pulling the ear on the same side as the erupting tooth
• Frequent crying and crankiness
• A slight fever
• Reddened cheeks and drooling
• Appetite loss and upset stomach

After baby develops their first tooth, babies are at risk of dental decay. Decay in babies and toddlers is known as Early Childhood Caries (ECC). Some suggestions as following can help you

• If your baby likes to suck on something to settle to sleep, offer a dummy or a bottle of water
• If your baby has a breastfeed or bottle of milk before bed, gently wipe down their teeth with a moistened cloth before bed
• Breast and bottle feeding regularly throughout the night once a child is over 12 months can contribute to ECC. Speak with your maternal or child health care adviser if your baby still needs an overnight feed
• If your baby has teeth, don’t settle them to sleep with a breastfeed or bottle of milk, sweetened flavoured milk, cordial, soft drink or fruit juice. Bacteria feed on the sugar in these drinks and form plaque acids on teeth, which eat into the tooth surface and cause decay
• Never allow your child to take a bottle of milk or other sugary beverages to bed. When they are older, it’s fine to offer a glass of water in case they get thirsty overnight
• Avoid giving your baby or toddler frequent snacks; three meals and two snacks per day is sufficient to meet dietary needs
• If your baby suffers from a dry mouth (lack of saliva) and is a mouth breather, they are at greater risk of ECC. Speak with your maternal or child health care adviser or dentist if you think your baby may suffer from a dry mouth
• Start phasing out breast and bottle feeding from 12 months and encourage your baby to learn to drink from a cup

Foods that can contribute to dental decay include those high in refined carbohydrates that is sugar. Sugar feeds the destructive bacteria in your baby’s or toddler’s mouth, producing acid that can destroy your child’s teeth. These foods should be limited such as concentrated fruit snack bars, lollies, muesli bars, sweet biscuits, some breakfast cereals and sugary drinks and juices.

These are important to complemented good oral hygiene for your baby ;Brushing and flossing your babies teeth, together with regular dental checkups.