Nappies Direct

Guide to healthy teeth

• A baby's first teeth begin to form in the 16th week of pregnancy
• The strength of the first teeth depends on the mother's health and diet during pregnancy
• Good oral hygiene in mothers will reduce the likelihood of dental disease in their children
• A healthy diet will provide a developing baby with the right amount of fluoride to form strong teeth
• Breastfeeding provides the best possible nutrients for baby plus the protection of it's mother's antibodies
• Babies should not fall asleep on the breast overnight as this may lead to dental decay
• No Macleans toothpaste contains sugar.

Clean Twice a Day. Looking After Teeth is Really Important

• Brush teeth morning and night
• Use a damp cloth to clean gums before teeth come through
• Start cleaning baby's teeth as soon as they appear
• Use a small soft toothbrush such as Macleans Milk Teeth with a pea-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste
• Parents need to help their children up to 6 years old to brush their teeth
• Check in the morror to clean teeth properly
• Check for marks or stains on the teeth
• Don't share toothbrushes
• Spit out, don't rinse

The Healthy Teeth Diet. Let the teeth eat the food, not the food eat the teeth.

The main risk for tooth decay is frequently drinking and eating foods which contain sugars. Here is how to reduce tooth decay:

• Limit high sugar drinks and foods to mealtimes
• Give teeth a rest between eating - limit the number of between-meal snacks
• When you must snack, choose nutritious foods that are low in sugar like fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and cheese and crackers
• Drink only water at night after cleaning teeth

Flouride Helps Protect Teeth

• Teeth are continually exposed to small levels of fluoride in water making teeth more resistant to decay by strengthening the tooth surface
• Fluoride can help strengthen baby teeth before they come through the gums by building flouride into their structure
• Flouride helps repair the early stages of tooth decay
• Water fluoridation is not a replacement for tooth brushing. Brushing helps remove bacteria (found in plaque) and keeps gums healthy

Enrol With The Dental Service! It's Free!

• Basic oral health care is free from birth to 18 years
• It is recommended children visit the Dental Service before their first birthday and at least once a year thereafter
• To enrol children aged 0 - 12 years in the Dental Service phone (09) 839 0565
• For children aged 13 - 18 years, enrol in the Adolescent Dental Service on 0800 ITS FREE (0800 487 3733)

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