Most of us here at your New Farm dentist are parents ourselves, so we understand the importance of fostering good dental habits and positive dental experiences from a young age. We recommended that your child visit your New Farm dentist within 12 months of the first tooth erupting into the mouth. This allows us to monitor the health of the mouth and teeth, give you feedback on how to manage your child’s oral needs, and also encourage your child to be confident in the dental environment. Here are some tips from your New Farm dentist on looking after your child’s teeth: Begin gently brushing the gums before the first tooth emerges, to help your child get used to the feeling of having a toothbrush in their mouth Don’t use any toothpaste between the ages of 0-18 months From 18 months to 6 years, use a low fluoride children’s toothpaste At 6yo, a pea-sized amount of adult fluoride toothpaste should be used Where possible, spit after brushing, but don’t rinse: this allows the fluoride in toothpaste to have its maximum effect During the day, children should drink plain milk or tap water. If your child has a bottle overnight, it should only ever contain water Helping your child to form good dental habits and looking after the mouth from an early age is a lifelong gift. Call your New Farm dentist today to schedule a check-up for your child.