From the moment that first tooth comes in, your child’s mouth starts to change fast, and it’s completely normal to wonder if something looks a little off.
Maybe you’ve noticed a second row of teeth starting to form like a little shark. Or wondered if it’s okay that your toddler still uses a dummy at night, and now you’re in a late-night Google rabbit hole. All of us parents are the same. There’s probably another one in the world somewhere Googling the same thing.
Children under 7 go through some weird but totally normal dental changes. But some things really do need a closer look. So, how do you know which is which?
This guide is here to help you sort through the most common (and most googled) questions parents have about their child’s teeth, from fluoride toothpaste to your child’s first dental visit.
Let’s chat about what’s normal, what’s not, and what you need to do.
Shark Teeth in Kids: What to Do if it Happens
Spotting a second row of teeth in your child’s mouth can be pretty alarming, but in most cases, it’s completely normal. This is a common phenomenon known as “shark teeth” because it looks like your child is growing teeth in two rows, like a shark. It usually happens around age 5 to 7, when the permanent lower front teeth start to erupt behind the baby teeth.
Why “Shark Teeth” Happen
Usually, permanent teeth push directly underneath baby teeth, causing the roots of the baby teeth to dissolve so they can fall out naturally. However, sometimes, especially if the baby teeth are a bit stubborn, the adult teeth come in behind them instead of underneath. This means the baby teeth don’t loosen on their own right away, leaving two rows of teeth.
What You Should Do About “Shark Teeth”
In most cases, the baby tooth will still fall out on its own, especially if it starts to wobble within a few weeks of the adult tooth coming in. To help this, you can:
- Encourage gentle wiggling with clean fingers or a tissue.
- Give your little one crunchy foods (like apples or carrots) to help loosen it naturally.
- Make sure your child is still brushing and flossing because two rows of teeth can trap more food and plaque.
When to See the Dentist About “Shark Teeth”
If the baby tooth doesn’t start loosening at all within 2–3 months of the adult tooth coming out, or if your child is complaining of pain or difficulty biting, it’s time to visit us. A quick extraction might be recommended to make space for the adult tooth to move in correctly.
If shark teeth are left too long, they can interfere with how the adult teeth settle into place, which can cause future crowding or bite issues.
Do Shark Teeth Mean My Child Will Need Braces?
If your child has “shark teeth,” it doesn’t automatically mean they’ll need braces. Many children experience this and go on to have perfectly normal adult teeth. However, if there’s already crowding, then orthodontic treatment may be something to consider in the future.
We will let you know if you need to do something like removing a stubborn baby tooth to help prevent bigger problems later on. Remember, the earlier an issue is spotted, the easier it is to guide that little smile in the right direction.
Curious about how early dental issues can affect your child’s sleep and future smile?
Don’t miss our blog on interceptive orthodontics, it covers exactly when and why early intervention matters. Learn More
Should Kids Start Using Fluoride Toothpaste? (Yes, Even Toddlers!)
Fluoride is one of the most effective tools for preventing tooth decay, and yes, it’s safe and recommended for young children if it’s used correctly.
According to the South African Dental Association and international guidelines, like those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children should start using fluoride toothpaste as soon as their first tooth appears. That means babies as young as 6 months old can benefit from using fluoride.
How Much Toothpaste Should You Use For a Child?
The right amount of toothpaste depends on your child’s age. A little goes a long way.
- Under 3 years old: Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice.
- 3 to 6 years old: Use a pea-sized amount.
Don’t leave children of this age to brush unattended, because they’re still learning how to spit. Until they can spit out toothpaste and not swallow it (usually around age 6 or 7), you should keep an eye on them during brushing.
Why Fluoride Is Important, Even in Toddlers
Young children are more likely to develop cavities in their teeth. Baby teeth have a thinner, softer outer layer than adult teeth, which means they can get damaged more easily, especially if they often have sugary drinks, snacks, or milk at bedtime. Fluoride helps by making the enamel stronger and better able to handle acid from food and plaque.
Avoiding fluoride altogether or waiting too long to introduce it can leave your child at higher risk for cavities, which can affect speech, nutrition, and even the development of their adult teeth.
Choosing the Right Toothpaste for Children
Look for a fluoride toothpaste with a flavour your child likes (the minty ones can be too strong for little ones). There’s no need to use “toddler” toothpaste unless it contains fluoride. Always check the label.
Dummy Use and When It Becomes a Problem
Dummies can be really helpful in early childhood. They soothe babies, reduce crying, and even lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) when used at sleep time in the first year. But if a child uses a dummy for too long, especially as they grow older, it can start to affect how their teeth and jaws develop.
When Is Dummy Use Safe?
Using a dummy in infancy is generally safe and supported by most international dental bodies like the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), as long as it’s used correctly:
- Avoid dipping it in sugar, honey, or juice. This significantly increases the risk of tooth decay.
- Use an orthodontic dummy where possible. These are shaped to reduce pressure on the developing palate and teeth.
- Clean dummies regularly and never “clean” them with your mouth. This can pass cavity-causing bacteria to your child.
When Can Dummies Start to Affect Teeth?
Most children stop using a dummy on their own between the ages of 2 and 4 years old. It’s usually not a problem if it’s just used at bedtime, but using it often during the day, especially after the age of 2, can start to affect how the teeth and jaws grow.
Extended dummy use can lead to:
- An open bite, where the front teeth don’t meet properly.
- Changes in the shape of the upper jaw, especially narrowing of the palate.
- A higher risk of speech issues and tongue thrust habits.
These changes are more likely to happen if the dummy is used very often, especially alongside habits like thumb-sucking.
How to Wean Off the Dummy
- As a starter, limit dummies to naps and bedtime only.
- Offer another comfort item like a soft toy or blanket.
- Praise for dummy-free time.
- Try gradual weaning or involve your child in a fun “dummy farewell” ritual.
When Can Kids Brush Their Teeth on Their Own
We all want to teach our children independence, but brushing teeth properly is a skill that takes longer to master than we think. Even if your child wants to try on their own, research shows that most children don’t have the fine motor skills needed to brush effectively until around age 6 to 8.
A good rule of thumb is that if they can’t tie their own shoelaces without help, they’re probably not ready to properly brush their own teeth.
What’s the Risk of Allowing a Child to Brush Their Own Teeth?
Letting children take over brushing too soon can lead to:
- Missed plaque buildup, especially on the gumline or back molars.
- Getting too much fluoride from swallowing toothpaste or using more than they need.
- A higher risk of cavities or gum irritation, especially if brushing isn’t thorough or consistent.
Even the enthusiastic brushers often don’t have the coordination to reach all surfaces properly. Let them brush their teeth first, and then help them with the final brushing afterward.
How Long Should a Parent Supervise Teeth Brushing?
Parents should continue to brush or help their child brush their teeth until at least age 6, and ideally supervise brushing until age 9.
Independence will come, but when it comes to brushing, a little help goes a long way in keeping their teeth healthy.
Bottle Mouth Syndrome: The Biggest Culprit Behind Baby Tooth Decay
Bottle mouth syndrome (also called early childhood caries) is one of the most common reasons young children develop tooth decay. It can happen when their teeth are often exposed to sugary drinks, especially if they fall asleep with a bottle at night.
Milk, formula, fruit juice, sweetened drinks, and even breastmilk (I KNOW!!!) all contain natural or added sugars. When these sugars stay in contact with the teeth for long periods at a time, they feed the bacteria that cause cavities, and release acids that break down enamel.
What Bottle-Mouth Syndrome Looks Like
Tooth decay often starts as white or brown spots on the upper front teeth. If it’s not treated early, it can turn into cavities that affect several teeth. In more severe cases, it can cause pain or infection, and some teeth may need to be removed under general anaesthetic.
When Bottle-Mouth Syndrome Happens
Your child can be more at risk for bottle mouth syndrome if:
- They use bottles to soothe themselves to sleep.
- They drink too many sugary drinks throughout the day.
- They don’t brush their teeth often enough.
What the Guidelines Say About Bottles
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it’s best to avoid giving bottles at bedtime unless they contain only plain water. They also recommend starting to wean your child off the bottle completely between 12 and 18 months of age. Once the first tooth appears, brushing with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste should begin to help protect those new teeth from decay.
Early decay doesn’t just affect how your child looks. It can cause problems with speech, nutrition, sleep, and the proper development of adult teeth, but it’s also one of the easiest issues to prevent.
Why Your Child’s Teeth Are Yellow (Even If You’re Brushing Them)
Sometimes parents notice that their child’s permanent teeth look more yellow than their baby teeth, especially when they can see both in the mouth when baby teeth start falling out and adult teeth begin to take their place. This often becomes noticeable around age 6, when the first adult molars and incisors begin to erupt.
Why Do Adult Teeth Look More Yellow?
The difference in colour comes down to the natural structure of adult teeth, not anything you’re doing wrong.
Permanent teeth often look more yellow than baby teeth because they have a thicker layer of dentin underneath the enamel. Dentin naturally has a slightly yellow colour, and since the enamel on adult teeth is a bit more translucent, that yellow tone can show through more. Baby teeth, on the other hand, are smaller, whiter, and have thinner dentin, which makes them appear much brighter next to the new adult teeth.
When Is Yellow Teeth a Problem in Children?
New adult teeth are slightly more yellow than baby teeth. This is normal and not a sign of decay. But some types of discolouration might be a sign of a problem:
- Brown, grey, or black marks may be early signs of tooth decay, enamel problems, or past injury to the tooth.
- Yellowing near the gumline could mean plaque buildup, especially if brushing isn’t reaching those areas well.
- Chalky white spots might be a sign that the enamel is starting to weaken, possibly from too little or too much fluoride during tooth development.
If you’re unsure whether the colour change is normal, at The Gentle Dentist, we can quickly assess whether it’s developmental or something that needs treatment. Consistent brushing with fluoride toothpaste, regular dental check-ups, and avoiding sugary drinks or snacks can all help keep your child’s teeth white and strong.
When Should My Child See the Dentist for the First Time?
Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth erupting, whichever comes first. This might feel early, especially if your little one only has one or two teeth, but this early visit is so much more important than just checking for cavities. These early dental visits lay the foundation for lifelong oral health and help your child feel comfortable at the dentist from an early age.
When you take your child to the dentist early, minor issues can be caught. This can make future treatments easier to manage or help you to avoid them altogether.
What to Expect At Your Child’s First Dental Visit
Your child’s first dental visit is usually quick, gentle, and focused on their comfort. We’ll take a look at their teeth, gums, bite, and how their jaw is developing. It’s also a chance to chat about brushing, teething, feeding habits, fluoride, and anything else you might be wondering about. Starting dental visits early and coming back every 6 to 12 months helps us pick up on any changes before they become bigger problems. It also helps your child see the dentist as a normal and positive part of growing up, not something to be afraid of.
Protecting Your Child’s Smile Starts With Early Habits
Most of the teeth-related things parents of young children worry about are either completely normal or quick and easy to sort out. If you’ve ever had questions about dummy use or whether you’re using the right toothpaste, that curiosity is already helping to protect your child’s health. Understanding what’s normal and when to get help is one of the best things you can do to support your child’s growing smile.
With regular check-ups and small habits at home, you’re building a strong, healthy foundation, and we’re right here to help you along the way.
Do you have questions about your child’s teeth?
Book a consultation or send us a message, and we’ll help you figure out what’s normal, what’s not, and how to best support your child’s dental development.
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