What every parent should know about children's teeth — but probably doesn't

The myths that are quietly damaging your child's teeth

Here are the facts that matter most — some of which will surprise you.

"Baby teeth don't matter — they fall out anyway"

This is the most widespread and most damaging myth in children's dentistry. Baby teeth matter enormously — for three reasons:

They hold space for adult teeth. Each baby tooth is a placeholder for the permanent tooth developing beneath it. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely to decay, the surrounding teeth drift into the gap. When the adult tooth is ready to emerge, there's no room — leading to crowding, misalignment, and potentially orthodontic treatment that could have been avoided.

They affect speech development. Front baby teeth play a critical role in the formation of certain sounds. Children who lose front teeth early to decay can develop speech patterns that become habitual.

Infection spreads. A badly decayed baby tooth doesn't just cause pain — it can abscess and damage the developing adult tooth underneath. We see this more often than parents might expect.

Baby teeth deserve the same care as adult teeth. Full stop.

"Fruit juice is healthy"

Fruit juice is one of the leading causes of childhood tooth decay, and most parents have no idea. A single glass of apple juice contains roughly the same amount of sugar as a glass of cola — and the acidity is often higher.

The damage isn't just from sugar. Acidic drinks soften enamel temporarily, making teeth vulnerable to erosion. When children sip juice throughout the day — especially from sippy cups or bottles — their teeth are under constant acid attack with no recovery time.

What we recommend instead:

• Water and plain milk are the only drinks teeth need
• If juice is given, dilute it heavily, serve it at mealtimes only (not between meals), and use a cup rather than a bottle or sippy cup
• Never put juice or milk in a bottle for bedtime — pooled liquid around the teeth during sleep is one of the most common causes of early childhood decay

"Brushing harder means cleaner"

Children (and many adults) assume that scrubbing hard cleans better. The opposite is true. Aggressive brushing damages enamel and irritates gums. For children, a soft-bristled brush with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, used in gentle circles, is far more effective than vigorous scrubbing.

When to start: As soon as the first tooth appears (usually around 6 months). Before that, wipe gums with a clean damp cloth after feeds.

Supervision: Children under seven lack the manual dexterity to brush effectively on their own. Brush their teeth for them or supervise closely until they can demonstrate they're reaching every surface.

The developmental milestones parents should know

6 months – first tooth appears. Start brushing. Start thinking about a first dental visit within the next year.

12–18 months – first dental visit (or by age 2 at the latest). This is a "happy visit" — just a look, a count, and a conversation with the parent about diet, brushing, and fluoride.

6 years – first adult molars arrive. These appear at the back of the mouth behind the baby teeth, so many parents don't notice them. They're often mistaken for baby teeth. These are the teeth your child will use for the rest of their life, and they're especially vulnerable to decay because they have deep grooves that trap food and bacteria.

Fissure sealants — a painless, quick coating applied to the chewing surface of these molars — can reduce the risk of decay by up to 80%. We strongly recommend them for all children.

10–14 years – most baby teeth replaced by adult teeth. This is the stage where alignment issues become apparent. Early assessment allows us to monitor development and refer to orthodontics if needed — ideally before problems become complex.

Throughout childhood – diet is dental care. What your child eats matters as much as how they brush. Sugar frequency (how often, not how much) is the primary driver of decay. A child who eats three sweets at once causes less damage than a child who eats one sweet every hour — because each sugar exposure triggers an acid attack that lasts approximately 30 minutes. Snacking patterns matter more than total sugar consumption.

When to worry — and when not to

Don't worry about:

• Gaps between baby teeth (this is actually good — it means there's likely room for the larger adult teeth)
• Teeth coming in "crooked" (many self-correct as the jaw grows)
• Late teething (some children don't get their first tooth until 12–14 months — this is normal)

Do contact us if:

• Your child has tooth pain that wakes them at night
• You notice brown or white spots on teeth (early signs of decay)
• A baby tooth is knocked out or broken from a fall
• Your child is over two and hasn't had a dental visit yet
• You notice your child grinding their teeth regularly during sleep

The gift of a healthy start

The habits formed in childhood persist into adulthood. A child who brushes twice daily, limits sugar frequency, and visits the dentist regularly will carry those behaviours for life — not because they're disciplined, but because it's simply what they've always done.

You're not just looking after your child's baby teeth. You're building the foundation for 70+ years of dental health.