Dental Timetable
| 4-6 months | First primary tooth of 20 erupts. Parents to start brushing daily. Children need an adult to brush for them twice a day until 7 years of age. Use a childrens toothpaste from 6 months to 2 years, 500ppm fluoride. |
| 12 months | Wean from breast feeding or from the bottle. Move onto a feeding cup. Avoid on demand feeding at night as this can lead to early childhood decay. Water is the only safe drink at night. |
| 24 months | Start using a pea sized amount of fluoridate toothpaste when brushing. 1000ppm fluoride. |
| 24 months | First visit to the Dentist to evaluate dental development, oral hygiene and oral habits. Annual review if decay free. |
| 30-36 months | Last of 20 primary teeth erupts. If the teeth are tight together parents should floss at night before brushing. Encourage stopping of soother or thumb sucking habits well before the arrival of first permanent tooth. |
| 5-6 years | First primary lower front tooth is lost being replaced by first permanent incisor. Four upper and lower front teeth are lost and replaced by 8 years of age. During the transition 6 monthly dental check ups are advised. A remouldable gum shield should be worn during contact sport to protect the permanent front teeth from injury. |
| 6 years | First permanent molar erupts at the back of the mouth behind the last primary molar. This tooth can be fissure sealed when fully erupted to prevent decay. |
| 7 years | Child starts brushing with supervision by parent. Commences using an adult toothpaste once they are good at spitting out. 1500 ppm fluoride. |
| 9-12 years | Remaining 12 back primary teeth lost. |
| 10 years | Child starts flossing for themselves. |
| 12 years | Second set of 4 permanent molars erupt at the back of the mouth. Include in daily cleaning, suitable for fissure sealing when fully erupted. |
| 12-14 years | Orthodontic treatment commences i.e. braces for children who have crowding or a mismatch in jaw sizes. Special small brushes and superfloss used to clean the teeth while the braces are on. Fluoridated mouth rinse used daily. |
| 12-14 years | A custom made gum shield should be worn for contact sports to prevent injury. |
| 14 years | Graduation to an "Adult Dentist" |
| 18-80 years | 4 wisdom teeth or third set of permanent molars erupt. (1/3 of people are missing one or more of the wisdom teeth). |
Toothbrushing should commence when the first tooth erupts. Use a small soft brush with a smear of children's toothpaste.Parents should help with toothbrushing until 7 years of age.
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