A Focus on Kids Oral Health

Children’s dental health in Aotearoa New Zealand is considered poor. Alarmingly, over half of kids under the age of five have tooth decay¹. Tooth decay is the most chronic childhood disease in New Zealand and more and more children are actually being hospitalised due to the severity of their tooth decay. What can we do about this?

Baby teeth and how to look after them

Good oral health begins even before a child’s first teeth appear. Getting your baby used to you touching their mouth and gums is a great start so that they are comfortable with this before you need to start brushing their teeth. Clean baby gums by wiping with a warm cloth.

Baby teeth usually start to pop up from about six to ten months of age. Start brushing as soon as your baby’s teeth start to show. Use a brush with a small toothbrush head and very soft bristles and a fluoride toothpaste. In New Zealand the Ministry of Health recommends that everyone (including babies) should use toothpaste that contains a fluoride content of at least 1000 parts per million (ppm) to prevent tooth decay.² For babies and children aged 0 to 5 years apply a half-pea-sized amount of toothpaste to the brush, and for kids aged six and over apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

Brush gently twice a day for babies and children. Once your child is over one year old, brushing time should be two minutes each session including brushing the front and backs of teeth, the gums and tongue. You can use an electric toothbrush on a baby.

Not rinsing after brushing helps the fluoride in the toothpaste to stay on the teeth and continue to protect them during the day.

Keep on top of kids’ oral health

We are lucky in Aotearoa New Zealand that dental care for children and young people is publicly funded until the age of 18. Enrol your child in the free Community Oral Health Service (0800 TALK TEETH 0800 825 583) at an early age. A first visit for a check-up will happen when your child is between one and two years of age. This service covers examinations to check for tooth decay, mouth and gum problems, perform x-rays, apply fluoride treatment (to help make the tooth surface more resistant to decay), apply fissure seals (a protective paint is applied to the teeth surface to help prevent decay), clean plaque, tartar, stains, perform fillings and extractions, and make referrals to other dental services for extra or more complex treatments when needed.

Other tips for good dental care:

• Attend regular dental check-ups.
• Check for signs of tooth decay.
• Give kids healthy snacks.
• Drink water or milk only.
• Gently discourage thumb-sucking from around age 5 or six. While thumb-sucking is a natural reflex for babies and small children, it can cause tooth movement and abnormal bite if continued after the permanent teeth start to appear.

Don’t forget toothbrush care!

A toothbrush can grow unhealthy bacteria if stored in a closed container. Let brushes air dry to keep them germ-free.

Replace every three to four months or sooner if the bristles look worn.

Consider replacing a toothbrush if your child has a cold/flu or an infectious disease.