Food for a perfect smile
The first milk teeth start to appear when a child is about six months old and these develop until all 20 teeth have appeared. Milk teeth are gradually replaced by 32 permanent ones, which develop from about 6 years of age.
It is vital to look after a child’s first set of teeth. This begins good practice for when they obtain their permanent teeth. Teeth are at risk of decay from when the first tooth emerges.
Golden rules
- Brush teeth at least twice a day with a pea-sized amount of flouridated toothpaste. (No toothpaste should be used before age two years).
- Do not encourage a sweet tooth from an early age by dipping soothers in sugar, honey or sugary drinks.
- Limit how often sugary foods are eaten and, where possible, restrict them to the end of meal-times.
- Avoid sticky sweets and toffees which adhere to the tooth surface. The minerals, calcium and phosphorous, contribute to the maintenance of teeth - a portion of milk (189 ml) is a source of these nutrients.
- Introduce a beaker from 6 months. Before the age of one year, children should be encouraged to drink from a cup and not a bottle.
Tooth-friendly drinks
Milk and water are considered the most tooth-friendly drinks for children. Drinks containing high levels of sugar should not be given in bottles or feeders as they may be in contact with teeth for long periods.
Dilute fruit juices for young children and always choose the unsweetened varieties.
Limit fizzy and sweetened drinks. Even diet fizzy drinks need to be limited as they contain acid which can erode the tooth surface.