The Tooth Fairy's guide to teaching kids about dental health

Teaching young children to look after their teeth can be difficult, so it can often be helpful to turn to a trusted friend for guidance. Although she’s known best for her nightly collection of lost teeth, the Tooth Fairy is also a wise advocate for oral health. In this article, we’ll explore why it’s important to instil good dental habits in children from a young age and maintain them right throughout adolescence. We’ll also discuss Tooth Fairy’s top tips for encouraging children to do this.

Of course, regular checkups with a children’s dentist are important and if you’re in Sydney, there are many clinics that specialise in this around the Bondi Junction and Woollahra area. But these check-ups will run smoothly if the right at-home care is being provided from the beginning.

Baby teeth care

The emergence of a baby’s first tiny tooth signals the time to initiate oral health education. Your teeth are designed to serve you throughout your life so starting good habits at this stage can be instrumental in this. Baby teeth or primary teeth as they are known scientifically, are placeholders for the adult set and ensure that there is sufficient space for them to grow. They are also pivotal in speech development and enable children to maintain a balanced diet.

Tooth Fairy tips:

As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, begin brushing with a soft, child-sized brush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Begin taking them to the children’s dentist around their first birthday and begin a consistent pattern of checkups from there.

Never let your child fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice as this can lead to baby bottle tooth decay when sugars from the bottle pool around the teeth and promote decay.

As they grow into toddlers and want to do this themselves, demonstrate proper brushing techniques and supervise them until they can manage independently.

Feed them a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and calcium-rich foods to bolster their dental health. Limit sugary snacks and drinks to shield them from decay and encourage water as an alternative.

Dental care during childhood

Between the ages of six and twelve, children will have a mix of baby and adult teeth and dental hygiene is paramount at this stage. Regular trips to the dentist are important so that the transition from one set to the next can be monitored.

Dentists will also evaluate the need for the child to attend an orthodontist in Woollahra or Bondi for intervention with alignment issues or severe problems.

Tooth Fairy Tips:

This is a time when children develop lifelong eating habits, so continue to encourage fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains while limiting enamel-harming foods.

Kids can become lazy with oral hygiene at this age, so monitor them. Make it more enjoyable by creating a playlist of favourite songs with your child and playing one each time you brush. Ensure you brush for the entire duration of the song and try to make the experience light-hearted and fun.

Dental health during adolescence

As children move into adolescence they undergo significant physical and emotional changes; it’s imperative to sustain the focus on dental health during this time. Teens should continue to adhere to a robust oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice daily and flossing. Parents need to reinforce these habits and provide the necessary supplies.

Orthodontic care is often required around this age, as many adolescents will need braces or aligners, some may even be dealing with the early emergence of wisdom teeth. These treatments serve both aesthetic, functional and health purposes. There are many dentists in Bondi Junction who work with children and teenagers.

Tooth Fairy Tip:

Teenagers often want more independence, so pulling back on the control a little whilst gently educating them and encouraging them is key. Educate them on the negative impacts of smoking and drinking alcohol on your teeth such as staining, decay and painful gum disease. In addition, talk to them about making nutritious food choices that promote dental health.

If they engage in sports, particularly contact ones like rugby, football, wrestling or boxing, contemplate getting them a mouthguard to protect their teeth from potentially damaging injuries. There are many different options to suit all price ranges, from custom-fit versions to general store options.

As a parent or guardian, you have the capacity to protect your child’s teeth and general oral health immensely. By fostering positive dental habits from a young age and persevering in adolescence and adulthood, you can help them to maintain a healthy smile and protect their well-being. Remember to visit your children’s dentist regularly, brush and floss with care, and make prudent dietary and lifestyle choices.