How Much Do You Know About Children's Oral Health?

1. How often should I be taking my child to the dentist?

Every 6 to 12 months

Only when they have a toothache

Every 2 years

Every other day

It's recommended to take your child for a check-up and clean every 6 to 12 months to help spot any early signs of tooth decay.

Explanation

It's recommended to take your child for a check-up and clean every 6 to 12 months to help spot any early signs of tooth decay.

2. Kids' teeth should be flossed

True

False

As soon as two teeth touch, they should be flossed regardless of how old someone is.

Explanation

As soon as two teeth touch, they should be flossed regardless of how old someone is.

3. Kids can use adults toothpaste so long as it's a very small amount.

True

False

False. Up until the age of 6 or 7 years old, kids should use a low-fluoride children's toothpaste to prevent a cosmetic condition known as fluorosis (over-exposure to fluoride in baby teeth). From the age of 6 or 7 years, it's ok to start using adult toothpaste but to continue encouraging your child to spit it out, rather than swallowing it.

Explanation

False. Up until the age of 6 or 7 years old, kids should use a low-fluoride children's toothpaste to prevent a cosmetic condition known as fluorosis (over-exposure to fluoride in baby teeth). From the age of 6 or 7 years, it's ok to start using adult toothpaste but to continue encouraging your child to spit it out, rather than swallowing it.

4. 27% of Aussie kids aged 5-10 yrs have untreated tooth decay

True

False

True. According to Australia's Oral Health Tracker technical paper 2020, 27% of Aussie kids aged 5-10 yrs have untreated tooth decay in baby teeth.

Explanation

True. According to Australia's Oral Health Tracker technical paper 2020, 27% of Aussie kids aged 5-10 yrs have untreated tooth decay in baby teeth.

5. Baby teeth fall out eventually, so there's no need to worry about tooth decay

True

False

False. Baby teeth are vital for a child's development. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely to tooth decay, this can cause the surrounding teeth to drift, causing problems for the adult teeth growing beneath. Missing teeth may also affect a child’s ability to eat and speak.

Explanation

False. Baby teeth are vital for a child's development. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely to tooth decay, this can cause the surrounding teeth to drift, causing problems for the adult teeth growing beneath. Missing teeth may also affect a child’s ability to eat and speak.

6. How many baby teeth should children have?

10

20

18

22

Children should have 20 primary teeth in total (also called milk teeth or baby teeth). All of these teeth are already formed at birth, but hidden inside the gums until they’re ready to come through.

Explanation

Children should have 20 primary teeth in total (also called milk teeth or baby teeth). All of these teeth are already formed at birth, but hidden inside the gums until they’re ready to come through.

7. How much sugar does 100% fruit juice contain?

Less than coca-cola

More than coca-cola

Roughly the same amount of sugar as coca-cola

None of the above

Unsweetened fruit juice may be richer in nutrients, but both coca-cola and 100% orange juice contain similar amounts of sugar. Citrus-based fruits also contain high acid content which can wear away tooth enamel.

Explanation

Unsweetened fruit juice may be richer in nutrients, but both coca-cola and 100% orange juice contain similar amounts of sugar. Citrus-based fruits also contain high acid content which can wear away tooth enamel.

8. It's better to encourage a toddler to brush their own teeth rather than doing it for them.

True

False

False. It's important to continue brushing your child's teeth up to the age of 4-5 years to ensure it's done properly. Allow them to brush first, then brush properly afterward. From 4-5 years of age, a child may be ready to start brushing their own teeth but will still require supervision.

Explanation

False. It's important to continue brushing your child's teeth up to the age of 4-5 years to ensure it's done properly. Allow them to brush first, then brush properly afterward. From 4-5 years of age, a child may be ready to start brushing their own teeth but will still require supervision.

9. The recommended average daily serve of fruit for a 1-2 year old is:

1 serve (150g)

2 serves (300g)

Half serve (75g)

5 serves (750g)

It's recommended that toddlers aged 1-2 years eat an average daily serve of 75 grams of fruit, roughly 1/2 a banana, apple, orange or pear.

Explanation

It's recommended that toddlers aged 1-2 years eat an average daily serve of 75 grams of fruit, roughly 1/2 a banana, apple, orange or pear.

10. Sugar causes tooth decay

True

False

When sugar mixes with the bacteria in the mouth, it produces acid that wears down tooth enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) and causes tooth decay. Starchy foods also have a damaging effect on teeth. This is due to an enzyme in our saliva called amylase, which breaks it down into glucose (a type of sugar). Bacteria feeds on the sugar to produce acid.

Explanation

When sugar mixes with the bacteria in the mouth, it produces acid that wears down tooth enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) and causes tooth decay. Starchy foods also have a damaging effect on teeth. This is due to an enzyme in our saliva called amylase, which breaks it down into glucose (a type of sugar). Bacteria feeds on the sugar to produce acid.