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Young Children Useful information for our younger patients: Babies start teething at about 6 months and continue to do so until all 20 'milk teeth' are present at about 2 years. 'Second teeth' usually develop between 6 and 14 years. To reduce teething pains, apply 'teething gel' by gently massaging it onto the baby's gums. Teething rings that can be cooled in the fridge are also very helpful. In extreme cases, the baby may require a mild painkiller such as Calpol, but check with your dentist first. DON'T dip your baby's dummy or teething ring into fruit syrups or fruit juices, or give anything containing sugars before bedtime. These can expose your baby's teeth to harmful acids, which can attack the newly formed teeth and cause decay. Thumb sucking or dummy sucking can affect a baby's teeth, and if this happens continuously over a number of years, the tooth alignment can be affected. Try and encourage your child to stop this habit before they reach their sixth birthday. We encourage all parents to bring their babies/toddlers along with them to the adult's check up appointment. This gets them used to the sights, sounds and smells of a dental practice. The first time we actually look inside a young child's mouth is normally when they are three years old. Try to establish a healthy diet for your children from a young age. Limit sugary food and drink to mealtimes and aim to avoid anything that contains sugar in between meals. Eat and drink everything in moderation; that includes fizzy drinks and fruit since both these things can cause erosion of the tooth enamel due to their high acid content. Good oral hygiene will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Children should brush their teeth twice a day with a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Ask your dentist about the best way to clean your child’s teeth, and make sure you supervise brushing up to the age of seven.