Healthy Mouths for Babies NHS

Baby teeth and teething Tooth decay in babies… What it looks like What causes it How you can stop it from happening How to look after your own teeth We’ll be looking at…

Baby teeth are important…. Help children eat and grow Make the shape of the jaws and face Help children speak Keep the space for the permanent teeth Help to have a healthy smile

Teething Teething ring or cold, clean flannel Talk to a doctor or a child and family health nurse

Tooth decay… …but it can be stopped is one of the most common childhood diseases…

Tooth decay… is a serious dental condition that gets worse quickly can cause pain and trouble with eating and sleeping can cause children to feel bad about themselves might need an operation

What causes tooth decay?

Best advice for babies Breast feeding provides the best nutrition. Exclusive breast feeding is advised for the first six months. Infant formula and cooled, boiled water if not breast fed. Infants should not be put to bed with a feeding bottle.

Drink well Demand feed up to 6 months Keep bottles for meal times ONLY Use water at night and between meals Encourage use of a cup at 6 months Stop the bottle at 1 st birthday

Moving from milk to family foods

Dummies Never dip the dummy or teething ring into fruit syrups, honey, fruit juices or anything containing sugars, particularly at bedtime. These contain harmful sugars and acids

How to clean your baby’s teeth Acknowledgement of graphic source: NSW Department of Health. Early childhood oral health guidelines for child health professionals. Sydney. NSW Department of Health, 2009

Have regular dental check-ups Brush & floss Drink water Eat healthy food Your own dental health Be a good role model.

Let’s work together

Thanks to… Centre for Oral Health Strategy NSW NSW Oral Health Promotion Network Devon Dental Access Centre