Teething and dental hygiene for toddlers

Your toddler will continue to have teeth come through until around three years of age. 

The baby teeth that are coming through are helping to provide shape to their face and mouth. By three years, your toddler should have all 20 primary or ‘baby’ teeth. 

Your toddler’s teeth can arrive in any order; however, generally, you will see the bottom front teeth come through first, followed by the top front teeth. These are called ‘central incisors’. 

Put your baby to bed without a bottle

It is recommended to put your toddler to bed without a bottle or sippy cup from 12 months of age to prevent tooth decay. 

Bottles with sweet liquids such as milk, infant formula, fruit juice, cordial, and soft drinks can lead to tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth can use these sweet drinks to decay the teeth while your child sleeps for longer periods of time. If your baby needs a bottle to sleep, fill it with water only. 

 

Looking after your toddler's teeth

Your toddler’s baby teeth are important, and they need your help to look after them to keep them healthy. Here is how to look after your toddler’s teeth:

  • only use a toothbrush and water until your toddler turns 18 months or unless otherwise advised by your dentist
  • from 18 months, use a small, pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste
  • book a dental check-up when your child turns one
  • teach your child to spit out toothpaste instead of swallowing and not to rinse, as the fluoride from the toothpaste is working to protect your child’s teeth
  • brush twice a day with a small toothbrush that has soft bristles – morning and night can help set a good routine
  • don’t forget to brush your child’s tongue too
  • when your child has two teeth next to each other, around two years of age, floss daily
  • help your child brush and floss until they are around eight years of age
  • lift the lip once a month to check for signs of tooth decay
  • offer your toddler healthy snacks such as fruit and vegetables, cheese and plain yoghurt
  • don’t share cutlery or utensils or clean your child’s dummy with your saliva, as this can pass bacteria and germs to your child’s mouth that can cause tooth decay.

See the Teeth and gum care factsheet for more information.

Make brushing fun

Your toddler will need your help and supervision with brushing their teeth until they turn eight years old. At times, this may be tricky. However, children are less likely to refuse brushing if you make it fun. You can try:

  • playing a song
  • brushing as a family
  • singing a song
  • using a timer
  • involving your child’s toy/s.