Dental care for mother and baby

For more information, visit children's teeth.

What about my diet during pregnancy?

When you are pregnant you must have a healthy, balanced diet that has all the vitamins and minerals you and your baby need.

You need to have a good diet so that your baby's teeth can develop. Calcium in particular is important, to produce strong bones and healthy teeth. Calcium is in milk, cheese and other dairy products.

If you have morning sickness you may want to eat ‘little and often'. If you are often sick, rinse your mouth afterwards with plain water to prevent the acid in your vomit attacking your teeth. Try to avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks between meals. This will protect your teeth against decay.

Is teething painful?

Most children do suffer some teething pains. Babies may have a high temperature when they are teething and their cheeks may look red and be warm to the touch.

There are special teething gels that you can use to help reduce the pain. There are some that contain a mild analgesic (painkiller). You can apply the gel using your finger, and gently massage it onto your baby's gums.

Teething rings can also help to soothe your baby. Certain teething rings can be cooled in the fridge, which may help. But, as teething pains can vary, it is best to check with your dental team or doctor.

When should I take my baby to the dentist for the first time?

It is best to discuss this with your dental team first, but you could take your baby to your own routine check-ups. This can help the baby to get used to the surroundings. Your dental team will be able to offer advice and prescribe medicines for teething pains, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. The baby's own check-ups can start any time from about 6 months or from when the teeth start to appear.

Does breastfeeding affect my baby's teeth?

Breast milk is the best food for babies, and it is recommended that you just give your baby breast milk during the first six months of its life.

At six months old, babies can start eating some solid foods. You should still keep breast feeding, or give breast milk substitutes (or both), after the first six months.

There needs to be more research to see whether, in some cases, the natural sugars in breast milk cause tooth decay in babies. However, it is widely accepted that breast milk is the best food for your baby. If you keep your baby's teeth clean, tooth decay is unlikely to be a problem.

What about bottle feeding?

When feeding with a bottle, you must sterilise the bottle properly. Some breast milk substitutes contain sugar and you should clean your baby's teeth after the last feed at night. Try to leave an hour after the feed before cleaning your baby's teeth.

Never add sugar or put sugary drinks into the bottle. Milk and water are the best drinks for teeth. Bottle feeding with drinks containing sugar can lead to 'bottle caries' (tooth decay). A baby is not born with a sweet tooth and will only have a taste for sugar if it is given it at an early age. 

When should I stop bottle feeding?

Stopping bottle feeding early can help stop your baby from developing dental problems. Try to get your baby to drink milk or water form a special cup by the time they are about six months old, or when they are able to sit up and can hold things on their own. 

What solid foods are better for my baby?

Savoury foods such as cheese, pasta and vegetables are better than sweet foods. Food that doesn't contain sugar is better for your baby's teeth. Ask your health professional for more advice about a balanced diet for your baby.

If your child has a drink between meals it is important to give them only water or milk instead of sugary or acidic drinks, which can cause decay.

When should I start cleaning my baby's teeth?

Babies are obviously not able to clean their own teeth, and children will need help to make sure that they clean them properly until they are about 7 years old. As soon as teething has started you should start cleaning your child's teeth.

How should I clean my baby's teeth?

As soon as the first baby teeth start to appear you should start to clean them.

At first you may find it easier to use a piece of clean gauze or cloth wrapped around your forefinger. As more teeth appear, you will need to use a baby toothbrush.

Use a pea-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste and gently massage it around the teeth and gums.

It can be easier to clean their teeth if you cradle your baby's head in your arms in front of you.

As the child gets older it may be difficult to do it this way, but you can gradually give more responsibility for cleaning their teeth to the child. It is important to clean teeth twice a day with a toothpaste that contains at least 1000ppm (parts per million) of fluoride. After 3 years old, use a toothpaste that contains 1350ppm to 1500ppm. You should make sure that they do not rinse with water, but spit out the toothpaste, and that they don’t swallow any if possible.

Check with your dental team or doctor if you are unsure about how to look after your baby's teeth.

What if my baby sucks its thumb or needs a dummy?

If you can, avoid using a dummy, soother or pacifier and discourage thumb sucking. These can both eventually cause problems with how the teeth grow and develop. And this may need treatment with a brace when the child gets older.

If your baby needs a dummy, soother or pacifier, there are ‘orthodontic' ones that reduce the risk of these problems. So if your baby does want to use a dummy, make sure you choose an orthodontic one.

Never dip your baby's dummy, soother, pacifier or teething ring into fruit syrups, honey, fruit juices or anything containing sugars, particularly at bedtime. The harmful sugars and acids can attack your baby's newly formed teeth and cause decay.

What if my baby damages a tooth?

If your child damages a tooth, contact your dental team straight away. A damaged tooth will often discolour over time.