Healthy Little Smiles: Babies
Babies: birth to 12 months
A baby's first year is a whirlwind of milestones and firsts – including baby's first teeth!
Babies in your care might have no teeth, four teeth, or be someplace in-between – teething.
Generally, the first teeth start to appear between 6 and 10 months – but like any developmental milestone, it’s an individual thing and the first tooth may appear as early as three months or as late as a year or more.
And as soon as the first tooth appears – it’s time to take care of them.
Good dental health habits at this age
Key milestones for teeth at this age are arrival of the first tooth and introducing solids to eat.
As soon as the first teeth appear it’s time to include some dental care practices to protect teeth and prevent tooth decay:
Opportunities for learning and teaching
Babies are learning all the time. Right from birth, children begin taking an interest in their bodies … exploring their fingers and toes. It’s time to start talking about teeth and that we need to look after them.
Generally, these activity ideas simply provide opportunities for babies to become familiar with everyday dental health practices and help them to build a positive attitude.
Outcome 3: Wellbeing
Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing
Children show an increasing awareness of healthy lifestyles and good nutrition
Children show increasing independence and competence in personal hygiene, care and safety for themselves and others
Talking points
- Teeth are an important part of our body.
- Teeth have three main jobs — smiling, talking and eating.
- There are lots of things we can do to look after our teeth
- Brushing our teeth helps keep them clean and healthy
Activity ideas (and printables)
- babies start to become familiar with body parts – use a mirror or touch and say ‘head, tummy, toes’
- children check out their teeth in a mirror
- use the local Aboriginal language
- use the languages families use at home
- sing a song (enjoy simple songs and rhymes)
 | DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY Let's talk teeth |
Watch a video | |
 | WATCH Teeny Tiny Stevies sing I Ate a Rainbow DOWNLOAD Teeny Tiny Stevies I ate a Rainbow Chart |
Read a book | |
 | Smile! (Baby Faces) board book by Roberta Grobel Intrater Baby Face by Margaret Miller |
Sing songs | |
DOWNLOAD list of songs with dental health themes | |
For more songs |
Share tips and resources with families
Share up-to-date and reliable dental health information as well as practical tips and resources to help families encourage healthy habits at home.
Picture guides | |
 | DOWNLOAD Caring for baby's teeth and gums: under 18 months Find translated versions here |
 | DOWNLOAD ‘Tooth Tips’ - 0 to 12 months Find translated versions here |
You can find more toothbrushing information here | |
Videos | |
 | VIDEO: How to brush with your baby by DHSV (45 secs) VIDEO: Toothbrushing with your baby by DHSV (30 secs) |
Books and songs | |
Keep the conversation going at home Share a list of dental-themed books Share songs | |
Your local dental clinic | |
Help families find their local dental clinic Click here to find your nearest public dental clinic
| |
Social media kit | |
 | Collection of templates and images to share via social media posts or parent portal Download Talking about teeth: Social Media Kit Download introduction to Social Media Kit |
 | Download Keeping Teeth Healthy: Social Media Kit |
 | Download articles to cut-and-paste in newsletters, etc |
Quality Area 6 – Collaborative partnership with families and communities
Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health and Safety
