Check your child's teeth. Lift the lip and look inside.

​Lift the lip to look for early signs of tooth decay once a month.

Healthy teeth have a whitish hue and are smooth and glossy.

Photo of childs teeth and gums with healthy pink gums and white teeth with no discolouration
If you see white lines along the gumline, you should make a dental appointment now.

Photo of child's teeth and gums showing white lines on the teeth along the gumline
If you see brown or yellow spots that don't brush of, make an urgent dental appointment.

Photo of childs teeth and gums showing large brown spots on 4 upper teeth and 1 lower tooth  

Keep your child’s teeth healthy with 3 easy steps

  1. Start brushing when your baby gets their first tooth (use low fluoride toothpaste from 18 months of age).
  2. Start drinking from a cup at around 6 months of age (boil tap water until 12 months of age).
  3. Put your baby to bed without a bottle (stop the bottle at around 12 months of age).

Photo source: WA & NSW Oral Health Services. Graphics Source: Calgary Health Region 2001.
SHPN: (COHS) 200192

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Current as at: Tuesday 28 April 2020
Contact page owner: Centre for Oral Health Strategy