How to Avoid Cavities in Babies and Toddlers

As a family-oriented dental practice, our Woombye dentists always enjoy seeing younger patients and treating them as gently as family. We recommend that a child sees a dentist in Woombye while they are still very young, as it is the best way to avoid cavities in children’s teeth.

Early Childhood Caries

Early childhood caries is the development of tooth decay in one or more of a child’s primary or milk teeth before age six. Unfortunately, many children will develop tooth decay while still young. Without the right paediatric dental care in Woombye, tooth decay can cause discomfort or pain, negatively affecting a child’s quality of life. Toothache is unpleasant at any age and can make it difficult for a child to eat comfortably. It can be impossible for them to concentrate at school, impacting their development. Treating severe tooth decay may also mean a child needs to miss a significant amount of school.

If you have a young child, there are some easy ways to ensure they grow up with cavity-free teeth.

Avoid Sugary Liquids

Often, problems with early childhood caries in Woombye can be traced back to soothing night-time bottles containing formula, juice or other sweetened beverages. While these might be enjoyable for a young child, they can be sipped over a long period or overnight, leaving teeth coated continually in cavity-causing sugars. If you want to send your baby to bed with a drink, stick to plain water that cannot harm their teeth. Ideally, wean them off using a bottle by their first birthday.

Begin Oral Care Early

It is never too soon to start getting your baby used to regular oral care at home. Gently wipe their gums with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze after each feed. When they begin to get teeth, gently brush them with a baby toothbrush and a smear of toothpaste. Our Woombye dentists, Dr Michel, Dr Richard or Dr Lewis, or any member of our dental team can always discuss techniques for brushing your baby’s teeth and offer advice on which toothpaste to use.

Book that First Dental Visit to Woombye Dental

You can book your child’s first dental visit soon after they get their first tooth, and we recommend bringing them to see us by their first birthday. We know this is very young, but it allows us to take a quick peek in their mouth to check their teeth and jaws are developing nicely. It is your chance to ask us all those questions you might have about their dental care. If your child is a bit older and has yet to see a dentist in Woombye, don’t worry, but please bring them to see us as soon as you can.

Our friendly dental team has a wealth of information that will help make dental care more enjoyable and more effective. These early visits are also a great chance for a curious child to get to know us and realise regular dental visits in Woombye are nothing to fear.

Creating a Dental Home for Your Child

All our team members go out of their way to create a warm, nurturing environment for our youngest patients, where they feel safe and comfortable. We particularly enjoy working with children as they get a bit older, teaching them the right way to care for their teeth and gums. It is an approach that helps children grow up without any fears or phobias and with strong, healthy, cavity-free smiles.