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Oral health
We routinely measure height and weight in all children as part of a child’s health assessment.

​The Northern Sydney Local Health District Oral Health Service provides free general dental care to eligible people living in northern Sydney.

All children under 18 years of age are eligible for free public dental services

To make a dental appointment, call the Health Contact Centre on 1800 679 336​.

For more information and location details, go to NSLHD Oral/Dental Service.​


OralHealth  

 Dental care for children and young people

Dental checks are important

  • Children should have their first dental check up by their first birthday
  • Children should have regular dental checks to keep their mouth, teeth and gums healthy
  • Don't wait until your child has a dental problem, such as toothache or pain.

 

Did you know?

  • Children and young people with tooth decay can have trouble eating, sleeping and focusing in school
  • Adults need to help with tooth brushing until their child is about eitght years old
  • Tooth decay is caused by:
    • putting a baby to bed with a bottle
    • sucking or drinking bottles or sippy cups all day, with something sweet in it
    • eating sweet foods like cakes, biscuits, lollies, chocolate, muesli bars
    • drinking sweet drinks like fruit juice, cordial and soft drinks
    • not brushing teeth or gums.

 

Follow a good dental health routine every day

  • Start brushing when you first see baby's tooth come through - use a kids toothpaste from 18 months of age
  • Children need to brush their teeth, gums and tongue after breakfast and before bed
  • Only put a pea size amount of fluoridate toothpaste on your child's toothbrush
  • Teach your child to spit out after brushing and do not rinse with water
  • Children sometimes don't want to brush their teeth, so make it fun. Play a song, use a timer or tooth brushing app
  • Having a routine will help make brushing easier.

 

Eat more fruit and vegetables every day

  • Only put breast milk, infant formula or water in a baby's bottle
  • Take the bottle away once your child finishes drinking
  • Give your child healthy snacks like cheese, vegetable sticks, fresh fruit, plain yogurt
  • Minimise foods with added sugars, fats and salt
  • Only have sweet snacks and drinks sometimes, not every day.

 

Water is the best drink

  • Teach your baby to drink water from a cup from around six months of age
  • Encourage everyone in the family to drink water - it's free and helps protect teeth from tooth decay
  • Avoid giving your children drinks with added sugar, like soft drinks, sports drinks or energy drinks.

 

Dental checks are important

  • Children should have their first dental check up by their first birthday
  • Children should have regular dental checks to keep their mouth, teeth and gums healthy
  • Don't wait until they have a dental problem (toothache or pain)
  • All children under 18 years of age who are NSW residents are eligible for free public dental services.

 More information for dental care for your family

Teething

  • Baby teeth start to come through the gums at around six months of age
  • By three years, a child has all their teeth - 20 baby teeth
  • You can use a clean cold cloth, teething ring or other teething product for your baby to chew on. If there are other symptoms, talk to your doctor or child and family health nurse.

 

Thumb/finger sucking and dummies

  • Thumb or finger sucking, and using dummies, is normal in young children up to about four years old. If this continues after four years, talk to your dentist or child and family health nurse
  • Don't dip dummies in anything sweet like honey or jam
  • Always clean your baby's dummy with water
  • Never share dummies.

 

Prevent dental injuries

  • Don't let your child walk around with things like toys in their mouth
  • Always watch your children playing
  • Older children should wear mouthguards when training or playing contact sports
  • If your child has an injury to their mouth, get dental advice immediately.

 Video resources

How to brush – 0 to 5

 

 

 

How to brush – 6 to 12

 

 

 

The Tooth Brushing Song  - a two minute tooth brushing song for kids

 

 

 

Growing healthy teeth