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The importance of oral health in young children

Key messages

Baby teeth are important. Take care of baby teeth as soon as they appear.

Baby teeth perform three important jobs:

  • help children eat (biting, chewing and grinding)
  • help children talk
  • and to keep space for the adult (permanent) teeth

Tooth decay can cause pain. Children might not be able to tell you how much pain they have. If a child’s mouth hurts, it makes it hard to eat and it may be uncomfortable speaking. Pain can disrupt sleep for children – and their family.

Unhealthy teeth are not good for a child’s overall health.

See Baby teeth are important section in Healthy Little Smiles resource kit

Learning experiences

Share messages about healthy teeth routinely with children

Talking points for children

  • It’s important to look after our teeth
  • Teeth are an important part of our body.
  • Teeth have three main jobs — smiling, talking and eating.
  • Healthy means that you are not sick and that your body feels good. It means you can play, learn and grow.
  • Teeth can get sick. It’s important to look after our teeth.

Educators can support this through

  • Storytelling and narratives – For example, stories about teeth, what they do and why we should look after them
  • Music – For example, sing songs about teeth
  • Role play – For example, visiting the dentist or set up a mock dental corner at your service
  • Everyday conversations – For example, ask open ended questions about what our teeth do and why we need to care for them

Online resources and websites

Books

Songs

For the Aboriginal community

Engaging families

You can support families to encourage oral health though

  • Meaningful discussions with families
  • Give out tip sheets
  • Information in your newsletter
  • Display information in your foyer and/or noticeboard
  • Provide information at enrolment
  • Role modelling good oral health behaviours

Online resources and websites

Newsletter article

Tip sheets

For more resources visit Dental Health Services Victoria website

Books

More information

Information on tooth decay

For the Aboriginal community

Parent Support Telephone Service

Professional practice and organisational policies

Develop policies and procedures

Outline your commitment to oral health, including healthy food and drink, preventive approaches and access to dental care in your organisation’s policies.

A policy document provides clear, consistent information for all staff and carers working with children, as well as for parents and families. Thorough policies can demonstrate a commitment to healthy eating and oral health, and ensure a high quality of practice.

Sample policy

Online resources and websites

Oral Health Promotion Messages for the Australian Public. Findings of a national consensus workshop, Australian Dental Journal
Oral Health Clearinghouse, The University of Adelaide website: www.adelaide.edu.au/arcpoh/oral-health-promotion/resources/

find your nearest dental clinic

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