Teeth - give your child's teeth a healthy start

teeth; breastmilk; formula; solids; juice; bottle; feeding; water; milk; toothpaste; fluoride; gums;

Contents

• Breastmilk is best
• Give your child
• Don't give your child
• If bottle feeding
• Cleaning your child's teeth
• Toothpaste
• Lift the lip
• More information

The content of this topic was produced by the Health Promotion Division of the SA Dental Service (South Australia). 

Stop your child's teeth rotting!

Breastmilk is best

If you are not breastfeeding, use infant formula.

Around six months, your child can start to eat from a spoon.
Start with smooth foods.

Give your child

Breastmilk or formula

Tap water after 6 months

Cow's milk after 1 year

Don't give your child

Soft drink	Fruit juice	Flavoured milk	Cordial	Coffee/ tea

If your child has a dummy, do not put anything sweet on it.

Clean your child's dummy under running water.
NOT in your mouth. Avoid sharing spoons with your child.

 

If bottle feeding

Take the bottle away when your child has finished.

Don't let your child keep sucking on the bottle too long. Give up the bottle by 1 year.

At 6 months your child can use a cup.

Put your child to bed WITHOUT a bottle.

Cleaning your child's teeth

You can start cleaning your child's teeth with a clean cloth or a small soft toothbrush.

Clean your child's teeth as soon as they come through.

Toothpaste

0 - 17 months no toothpaste

18 months - 5 years, use low fluoride children's toothpaste.

Lift the lip

Lift your child's top lip once a month to check for early signs of tooth decay. White lines along the gum line can be the beginning of tooth decay.

Please seek dental advice if you notice any changes in your child's teeth.

 

More information

For more information about protecting your child's teeth, have a look at the topic Teeth - dental care for children.

For more information contact:

• SA Dental Service, Health Promotion Division
  Tel: 8222 9016
  www.sadental.sa.gov.au
• CYWHS 24 hour Parent Helpline
  Tel: 1300 364 100

The content of this topic was produced by the SA Dental Service, Central Northern Adelaide Health Service.

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).

This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.