Parents and Children:
All about your toddler’s oral health
As soon as your little one passes their first birthday, baby teeth will start making an appearance thick and fast. Your tot’s teething timeline will continue all the way into their second year, coming to an end when their top second molars (back teeth) come through.
This stage in your child’s development is a crucial chance to instil a strong brushing routine and build confidence around visiting the dentist. The more work you can put in now to form the foundations of good dental habits, the more likely they are to stick.
Winning the brushing battle
The bad news? Teething toddlers can be especially stubborn when it comes to brushing their teeth. The good news? Every parent’s been there. And, with a few simple changes, brushing can quickly become a much more fun and rewarding experience for the both of you.
While your little one won’t be ready to brush their own teeth unsupervised until the age of seven or eight, there are plenty of ways you can make them feel more independent in the meantime. Why not come up with brushing games to make teeth cleaning time more fun?
Tackling a thumb sucking habit
Thumb sucking is very common in under-fives. Comforting for little ones, it’s totally normal – but can cause damage to your child’s teeth if it becomes a prolonged habit. After the age of seven, when adult teeth appear, thumb sucking starts to affect the position of your child’s teeth and can create a gap or crossbite.
There are a few easy things you can do to curb the habit, from a reward chart, to talking to your dentist about a ‘habit breaker’ dental appliance.
The power of positive dental attitude
Regular check-ups aren’t just a good way for your dentist to keep an eye on your toddler’s rapidly blossoming smile.
Positive reinforcement is a fantastic tool to use at home too. Rewarding good behaviour, like brushing for two minutes, twice a day, will give your child more reason to keep it up.
A reward system like a sticker chart can be a great way to give them something to aim for.
The more positive experiences your little one starts to associate with coming into the practice, the better. So, plenty of encouragement and enthusiasm from you really can make visiting the dentist less scary.
“How you talk to your child about visiting the dentist is key. Try to be as positive as you can. If you’re worried or anxious – they will be too”
Dr Zena Aseeley, Dentist, Bupa Dental Care
Smart sugar swaps for tots
It’s only a matter of time before your little one starts to discover their sweet tooth. While there’s nothing wrong with a little sugar in moderation, swapping out sweet treats for low-sugar alternatives can dramatically cut down the chances of harmful cavities in the long run.
To give you a helping hand, we’ve teamed up with one of Bupa’s specialist dieticians to bring you a list of quick and easy sugar swaps. Check out our sugar swap blog for the full list of tasty alternatives, from brilliant breakfasts to low-sugar snacks.
Book your free NHS children’s check-up today
Find your nearest Bupa Dental Care using our practice finder below, to book your child in for their next check-up. Remember, six-monthly trips to the dentist are key for keeping your little one’s mouth happy and healthy.
Each stage of your child’s smile development is important for their long-term oral health. Our advice pages help you make the right decisions for your little one, from pregnancy to primary school.
Advice and inspiration for every stage of childhood
Baby
Teething, brushing, weaning: everything you need to know about your baby’s first year
Primary school
Brilliant brushing, worry-free wobbles and getting to grips with gaps – we’ve got you covered.
Mum-to-be
Find out how you can start looking after your baby’s smile long before they’re even born.
Children’s Dental Blog
Smart sugar swaps. Making the dentist less scary. Tackling the tooth fairy. Our blog has it all.
Parents and Children
From NHS Dental check-ups to encouraging good oral hygiene, we can help you keep your children’s teeth healthy and happy.
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Bupa Dental Care is a trading name of Oasis Dental Care Limited. Registered in England and Wales No: 00478127. Registered office: Bupa Dental Care, Vantage Office Park, Old Gloucester Road, Hambrook, Bristol, United Kingdom BS16 1GW.
Oasis Dental Care Limited has a number of trading names including Bupa Dental Care. Please see the list of our different trading names.
