Did you know 50% of children under the age of 6 have tooth decay?1
Dental care is important right from the start – even before teeth start appearing.
Your child should visit the dentist when their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday — whichever comes first! If you notice anything unusual before then, book an appointment with your dentist or oral health therapist for peace of mind.
1 – 2 years old
Your dentist will take a medical history and discuss oral health risk factors such diet and oral hygiene, as well as ask about your child’s health and development. The dentist will then examine their mouth and teeth, possibly while they are sitting on your lap and provide you with information on their oral health, tooth brushing techniques and dietary advice on how to reduce the risk of decay.
3 – 4 years old
By this age most children are now old enough to sit in the dental chair alone. The dentist will examine your child’s teeth and oral soft tissues, including checking their bite, to see how their teeth come together. They may discuss habits such as thumb sucking or the use of a dummy on how this may affect your child’s bite, long term.
The dentist may suggest, with your permission to give your child’s teeth a polish and clean.
Usually, children require a check-up every six months, however your Health Partners dentist will suggest how often you should schedule follow-ups, based on your child’s oral health and stage of development.
Baby teeth are important for many reasons. They help with the development of speech and promote nutrition through proper chewing. Baby teeth hold the space required for correct development of adult (permanent) teeth. Baby teeth are also important for the development of jawbones and muscles.
The food children eat directly affect the long-term health of their teeth. As well as maintaining good oral hygiene through daily brushing it is important to limit your child’s consumption of sugary foods and drinks, as they can erode enamel and cause cavities. Tap water is also the best drink for kids.
Foods rich in vitamins, calcium and protein are beneficial as they are building blocks for healthy bones and teeth.
Nutrient-rich foods for health teeth and bodies:
Baby teeth have a thinner layer of enamel, which means the progression of decay can tend to happen a lot faster. It’s important to practise good dental care right from the beginning – even before teeth start to appear.
The dentist will assess your child’s teeth to determine if a referral to an orthodontist is necessary.
The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends that children who may need orthodontic treatment should be assessed by a registered orthodontist between the ages of eight and 102. Sometimes early intervention can reduce the need for braces.
Dental x-rays have low radiation levels, but provide additional information to the dentist as there are areas that the dentist can't see during a regular examination, like under the gums or between the teeth. Dentist won't recommend x-rays unless they've done a full examination and determined they are necessary.
Article last reviewed August 2025
1 Queensland Government (2025), Dental and oral health, retrieved from: https://www.choreport.health.qld.gov.au/our-health/dental-and-oral-health#:~:text=1%2Din%2D3%20(29.9,12.9%25)%20with%20untreated%20decay.
2 Orthodontics Australia (2023), Early orthodontic treatment: pros and cons, retrieved from: https://orthodonticsaustralia....?
Posted: Jan 19 2021
Disclaimer
© Copyright Health Partners. 2025 All Rights Reserved.
Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.
© Copyright Health Partners. 2025 All Rights Reserved.
Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.
Contact options and opening hours
View all