Children with cleft lip and/or palate have an increased risk of dental problems. Our goal is to help you ensure your child has a happy smile, healthy teeth, and no pain.
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When do teeth start to come through?
Baby teeth typically begin to emerge around 6 months of age, although this can be later in some children. Occasionally, children are born with a tooth. A child will usually have all their baby teeth by around 3 years of age. Adult teeth start to come through around 6 years of age, often before any of the baby teeth are lost.
How may the cleft affect the teeth?
When a child has a cleft in the gum area, the teeth along the cleft may be absent, misaligned, or malformed, and there may be gaps between adjacent teeth. It’s common for these teeth to appear twisted or positioned higher than other front teeth.
Are baby teeth important?
All teeth are important! Baby teeth hold the space for the adult teeth. If baby teeth have to be removed early, this may lead to crowding and affect the result that can be achieved by the dentist when your child is older and requires orthodontic treatment.
How can I keep my child’s teeth healthy?
Dental decay can cause pain and infection but is preventable. Visit your family dentist as soon as your child’s teeth emerge to establish regular check-ups. Avoid taking your child only when they have toothache, as this can create a negative experience. If you need help finding a dentist, consult the Cleft Team.
Inquire about fluoride varnish, a strong treatment that helps prevent decay. Brush your child’s teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, especially at night. Encourage them to spit out the toothpaste without rinsing, as rinsing reduces its effectiveness. Children with a cleft may need a higher fluoride dose than standard children’s toothpaste.
For children 0-3 years: Use a soft baby toothbrush with a smear of toothpaste (minimum 1,000 ppm fluoride). Gently brush any teeth in the cleft area. For children 3 years and older: Use a small-headed children’s toothbrush with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste (1,350-1,500 ppm fluoride).
Children cannot effectively brush their teeth until at least the age of 7-8 years, but they like to try. Give your child a toothbrush to brush themselves, but it is important that you ‘finish-off’ the brushing. Make brushing fun! Experiment with different flavours of adult toothpaste to find one your child likes.
Have a healthy diet:
After 12 months, avoid giving your child a bedtime bottle to prevent tooth decay. Limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals; only offer plain water or milk. Keep fruit juice to mealtimes, and if consumed, dilute it and use a straw to protect teeth.
Avoid fizzy drinks for your child, as even sugar-free options can harm teeth due to their acidity. After weaning, provide only plain water at night if your child is thirsty. Children on high-energy supplements, often high in sugar, are at greater risk for dental decay and should visit the dentist more often.
Is there anything else I can do to help keep my child’s mouth healthy?
It is very important to brush last thing at night and then try to avoid your child eating or drinking anything other than plain water after this. If you would like more help with brushing your child’s teeth, ask your dentist or the Cleft Team to show you simple ways to help keep your child’s teeth clean.
Things to remember
- Take your child to see your family dentist. Book an appointment online or book through WhatsApp
- Brush your child’s teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Brush the teeth even if your child has a feeding tube and is not taking food into their mouth.
- Ask for sugar-free medicines if possible.
- Try to avoid giving your child a dummy.
Child teeth frequently asked questions
How many teeth does a child have?
A child typically has 20 primary (baby) teeth. These include 10 teeth in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw. The primary teeth usually start to emerge around six months of age and are gradually replaced by permanent teeth starting around age six.
What age should child brush teeth?
Children should start brushing their teeth as soon as their first tooth appears, usually around six months of age. Initially, parents should brush the child’s teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. By the age of three, children can start brushing their teeth with parental supervision to ensure they use the correct technique and amount of toothpaste. Teaching good oral hygiene habits early helps ensure lifelong dental health.
How long should a child brush their teeth?
Children should brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day. Using a timer or a fun two-minute song can help ensure they brush for the appropriate amount of time. It’s important to supervise and assist younger children to make sure they brush all surfaces of their teeth properly.
How many teeth fall out as a child?
A child typically loses 20 primary (baby) teeth. These teeth begin to fall out around the age of 6 and continue to be replaced by permanent teeth until about the age of 12.