Keeping Your Child’s Smile Bright: Top Oral Health Tips

Did you know that in Australia, over 40% of kids deal with decay in their baby teeth, and 25% face it in their permanent ones? Ouch, right? Poor dental health early on can stick with them, impacting how they eat, talk, socialise, and feel about themselves.

So, how do you keep your little one’s smile shining bright? Here are some simple tips:

A Balanced Diet: What your child eats and drinks plays a huge role in their dental health. Too much snacking or sugary stuff can wear down tooth enamel. Watch out for sneaky sugars hiding in things like biscuits, cereals, and dried fruit. Skip the fruit juices and sports drinks—water’s the way to go! Check food labels to spot sugar (it often hides under tricky names).

Brushing: Brushing wipes out plaque, the sneaky culprit behind decay and gum issues. Kids (and grown-ups!) should brush for two minutes, twice a day—morning and night—spending about 30 seconds per section of their mouth. Make it fun by playing their favourite tune while they brush, stopping at the two-minute mark. Little ones need help from parents until around age eight, since brushing styles vary by age. For tailored tips, like when to start flossing, chat with your dentist or peek at www.ada.org.au.

Regular Dental Checkups: Dentist visits should be a normal part of growing up, just like seeing the family doctor. Parents can turn these trips into a positive adventure for kids.

Your Oral Health Ally: If you’re with Astute Simplicity Health and have Astute Extras Protect, you might qualify for Gap Free Preventative Dental*. Curious? Give us a call to learn more!

* For some preventative dental items on selected products. Annual limits, policy and fund rules and waiting periods apply. An out-of-pocket expense may apply if your provider’s fee is higher than the maximum benefit for each eligible service. See website for details