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Building Healthy Smiles from the Start

Your child’s smile is precious and caring for their teeth from the very beginning is one of the best gifts you can give. Baby teeth may be small, but they play a big role in helping tamariki eat, speak, and grow in confidence. Looking after them properly sets the foundation for strong adult teeth and lifelong healthy habits.

Why Early Communication Matters

Responsive, consistent communication builds trust. When you respond to your baby’s cries, coos, or cues with care and attentiveness, they learn that the world is safe and that their needs will be met. This trust not only strengthens your bond but also supports brain development, emotional regulation, and language skills. Even though a young baby is unable to reciprocate spoken language, it is still a great idea to talk to your baby when you are playing with, holding or feeding them. When you engage in this with your baby, it gives you extra opportunities to connect, communicate, watch, and observe reciprocated non-verbal communication which helps you to better understand their cues.

When to Start Brushing Baby Teeth

Dental care starts earlier than you might think! Begin brushing as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears – usually around 6 months. Before that, gently wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth to remove milk residue and introduce the idea of daily oral care.

Top tip: teething babies often love gnawing on a baby toothbrush. It soothes their gums and helps teeth break through.

Choosing the Right Toothpaste and Toothbrush

Toothpaste:

For babies and toddlers, use a low-fluoride children’s toothpaste – just a smear (the size of a grain of rice). From age 6, increase to a pea-sized amount of standard fluoride toothpaste.

Toothbrush:

A soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush designed for little mouths works best. Replace every 3 months or sooner if the bristles fray.

Some parent-approved toothpaste brands include:

Grin Natural Kids Toothpaste (Strawberry or Orange)

Colgate Kids 0–2 2-5 or 6+ years Low Fluoride Toothpaste

Macleans Little Teeth (2–6 years) Toothpaste

Remember: children under 10 still need active supervision to ensure brushing is thorough.

How to Brush Baby Teeth – Step by Step

  1. Sit your child comfortably with their head supported
  2. Add a rice-grain-sized smear of toothpaste to the brush
  3. Use gentle, circular motions on all sides of each tooth
  4. Don’t forget to “lift the lip” to check and clean around the gumline where plaque often hides
  5. Spit out toothpaste after brushing, but don’t rinse – fluoride protection works best when left on the teeth

Brush for two minutes, twice a day – morning and night, with the last brush after their bedtime feed. Try singing a favourite song (“Twinkle Twinkle” works perfectly!) to make brushing fun and connected.

Food and Drink: What Helps and What Hurts Teeth

  • Tooth-friendly foods: crunchy veg and fruit (apples, carrots), cheese, yoghurt, and water.
  • Watch out for sugar as it can cause decay:
    • A 350ml juice = contains the same amount of sugar as 25 jellybeans
    • A can of fizzy drink = 8 teaspoons of sugar
    • Some “healthy” flavoured waters can pack in more sugar than a chocolate bar

Keep sugary foods as occasional treats and stick to water or plain milk for everyday drinks.

Supporting Children with Sensory Issues

Some tamariki may find toothbrushing overwhelming due to sensory sensitivities. A few helpful strategies:

  1. Let your child choose a fun toothbrush – character brushes or colourful options often help.
  2. Try a ‘U-shaped, whole mouth toothbrush’ (great for children with sensory sensitivities or ASD). Kylee & Co Kids U Toothbrush.
  3. Use silicone bristles for a gentler feel.
  4. Brushing to music or while they watch in the mirror.
  5. Try desensitizing tools like Sensory Sam oral supports.
  6. If mint flavours sting, try fruit-flavoured options like Hi-Smile or Colgate Minions (milder taste, effective clean).

Patience and consistency are key – every small step is progress!

Free Community Oral Health in Nelson

In Nelson, all children are entitled to free dental care until 17 years old.

Preschool and primary-aged tamariki are treated through the Community Oral Health Service.

From high school onwards, families can choose a private dentist at no cost.

📞 To enrol your child, call Nelson Community Oral Health on (03) 539 5320, or talk with your Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse.
📞 For free advice and support, call 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583).

Building a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles

Caring for baby teeth is about more than preventing cavities—it’s about growing confidence and healthy habits for life. With the right routine, a balanced diet, and regular check-ups, your child’s smile will shine bright into adulthood.

Every small step you take today builds a lifetime of healthy, happy smiles.

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