Birth to five
Your child's first teeth, from the first one to the first check-up and beyond
Pick your child's age
- Birth to about 6 monthsBefore the first toothYour baby has no teeth yet. They are already there, under the gums.Read this age
- About 6 to 12 monthsThe first toothThe first tooth changes the job. From now on, you brush.Read this age
- 1 to 2 yearsYou do the brushingYour child eats what you eat now. Water is the drink, and you do the brushing.Read this age
- 2 to 3 yearsAll twenty teethAll 20 baby teeth are in by 3. This is the year to let the dummy go.Read this age
- 3 to 5 yearsReady for schoolSchool is coming. The habits your child keeps now are the ones they take with them.Read this age
The free check
Medicare pays for a child's dental check from birth to 17. It is called the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. It is not for every family. Yours needs Family Tax Benefit Part A, or a payment like it. Many families pay nothing. Not sure? Ask us.
Queensland Health also runs a free check for kids under 5. Ask your child health nurse to lift the lip and look.
Register your child
Tell us who your child is and where they go. We will check their teeth when we visit.
Sign up todayNot at a centre we visit?
Ask your child health nurse for a Lift the Lip referral. It makes public dental care free for your child and their brothers and sisters.
You can also ring the public oral health line on 1300 300 850 for a child's check-up.
Questions parents ask
- Is the check free?
- Medicare pays for the check for many children from birth to 17. Your family needs Family Tax Benefit Part A, or a payment like it. Not eligible? Ask us and we will say where to go.
- Does breastfeeding cause decay?
- No. Breastfeeding protects teeth in the first year. Once teeth are in, clean them twice a day. Never a bottle in bed.
- Which toothpaste?
- None before 18 months. From 18 months to 6, a children's toothpaste. From 6, the regular family kind.
- What is Lift the Lip?
- It is Queensland Health's free check for kids under 5. Your child health nurse lifts the lip at the routine checks. Their referral makes dental care free for your child and their brothers and sisters.
- What do you do at a playgroup?
- We lift the lip and look. We count the teeth. If your child has teeth and you say yes, we paint on a varnish that makes teeth stronger. Every child goes home with a pack.
- Who do I ring?
- Book a check with the club. Any time: 13 HEALTH, 13 43 25 84. In an emergency, 000.
Run a session
Running a kindy morning, a playgroup or a parents' session? Both of these are ready to project, and both come as PowerPoint with what to say in the notes.
Meet the Whole Bite Club
A picture story to read out loud at a kindy or a playgroup, with three moments where the children join in.
An early childhood educator, or the club's oral health therapist
Run the slides — Meet the Whole Bite ClubOpens the whiteboard. No account needed.
Your child’s first teeth
Birth to five for the grown-ups: what to do at each age, what to look for, and how to register for a free check.
A playgroup leader, a child health nurse, or the club's team
Run the slides — Your child’s first teethOpens the whiteboard. No account needed.
Kindy story: Meet the Whole Bite Club (PowerPoint)Lesson slides, PPTXTen picture slides to read out loud at a kindy or a playgroup, with the read-aloud script in the notes pane.Free with a teacher accountCreate a free teacher account for Kindy story: Meet the Whole Bite Club (PowerPoint)Sign in for Kindy story: Meet the Whole Bite Club (PowerPoint)
Parent talk: Your child’s first teeth (PowerPoint)Lesson slides, PPTXBirth to five for the grown-ups, slide by slide, with what to say around each one in the notes pane.Free with a teacher accountCreate a free teacher account for Parent talk: Your child’s first teeth (PowerPoint)Sign in for Parent talk: Your child’s first teeth (PowerPoint)
Questions? admin@oralhealthhome.com