Baby teeth: How to care for your little one’s teeth

(Image: Getty Images)

Expert tips to keep baby teeth healthy and strong.

Baby teeth may be tiny and adorable, but they play a big role in your child’s health and development. If you think the only trouble they cause is the sleepless nights when they’re coming through – think again!

Unlike adult teeth, baby teeth are more vulnerable to decay, which can progress quickly. Small cavities can turn into big problems fast, leading to pain, infections, and even issues with permanent teeth. Plus, baby teeth help with chewing and act as placeholders for adult teeth. Losing them too early can cause crowding, making orthodontic treatment more likely later on.

Dr. Giulia D’Anna, dentist and founder of iDental, has seen firsthand how simple steps can prevent major dental problems. She’s sharing her expert tips to keep your little one’s smile healthy from the start.

How to care for your baby’s teeth

Stay calm – every baby develops differently

Teething timelines vary. Some babies get their first tooth as early as four months, while others don’t see one until 10 months or later. If your child’s teeth seem a little late to the party, don’t stress! A delay can actually be a good thing, giving you more time before you need to start brushing and worrying about cavities.

When baby teeth start falling out, parents often get concerned if an adult tooth begins to come in before the baby tooth has fallen out. This is normal! Encourage your child to wiggle the loose tooth, and if it’s still hanging on after three months, a dentist can help.

Baby teeth care: A toddler in his pyjamas brushing his teeth. — Baby teeth decay quickly, causing pain, infections, and future dental issues – so early care is key! *(Image: Getty Images)*

Cut back on sugar

Cavities in kids are almost always linked to diet. Sugar + poor brushing = trouble. The best drinks for kids? Water and milk. Skip the juice and soft drinks – they bathe tiny teeth in sugar and acid.

Sticky snacks like roll-ups, sultanas, and lollies are also cavity culprits. Since they cling to teeth, they increase the risk of decay.

Use a kids’ toothpaste

Fluoride is amazing for preventing cavities, but swallowing too much can lead to dental fluorosis -a harmless but sometimes noticeable discolouration on adult teeth.

To be safe, only introduce toothpaste once your child can reliably spit it out. Use a tiny smear of children’s toothpaste (which has lower fluoride levels than adult versions) until they’re old enough to switch.

If brush-time battles are a daily struggle, try Bumbl Co‘s naturally flavoured kids’ toothpastes. They fight cavities, strengthen enamel, and polish teeth – all in delicious flavours like bubblegum, watermelon, and strawberry yogurt.

Child brushing teeth with Bumbl Co toothpaste — Start with a tiny smear of kids’ toothpaste – gentle on little teeth with lower fluoride levels until they’re ready to switch. *(Image: Bumbl Co)*

Make dentist visits a fun routine

The earlier your child gets comfortable with the dentist, the better. Booking a check-up while they’re young helps them see dental visits as a positive experience.

Plus, early visits can help detect tongue ties, lip ties, and any potential dental concerns before they become bigger problems.

Treat problems early

Think baby teeth don’t matter because they’ll fall out anyway? Not true! Cavities and infections can make eating, speaking, and even learning more difficult.

Front teeth play a key role in speech, and back teeth are essential for proper chewing. Losing them too soon can cause nutrition issues, speech delays, and even unnecessary orthodontic problems down the road.

When baby teeth fall out too early, the surrounding teeth shift, closing the space needed for adult teeth to come in correctly. This can lead to overcrowding and expensive orthodontic work later. Fixing cavities and preserving baby teeth whenever possible keeps everything on track for a healthy adult smile.