As part of Dental Health Week 2026, Dr Rebecca Sun from rfg Dentistry had the pleasure of visiting Woden Library on 7 August to speak with a group of new mums about one of our favourite topics: helping little smiles get off to a healthy start.
The presentation, “Little Smiles, Big Beginnings: A Guide to Healthy Smiles from Infancy to Early Childhood”, was designed specifically for parents navigating those early years, from teething and starting solids through to brushing, dental injuries and their child’s first dental visit.
What did we talk about?
There are so many questions that come with having a baby, and oral health is no exception.
We talked about:
- Teething: what is normal, when teeth usually appear and how to help make teething more comfortable
- Starting solids: how diet and eating habits can influence oral health
- Falls and dental injuries: what to do if a baby tooth is chipped, bruised or knocked
- Oral care: when to start brushing, choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste, and making brushing part of the daily routine
- Tooth decay: common dietary habits that can increase the risk of decay
- Parents’ oral health: how a parent’s own oral health can influence their child’s
- The first dental visit: when children should see a dentist and how parents can make the experience positive
When should your child first see a dentist?
One of the key messages from the session was that your child’s first dental visit should happen when their first teeth appear or by their first birthday, whichever comes first.
A first visit doesn’t need to be a stressful experience. It is an opportunity to check your child’s developing teeth and gums, discuss brushing and diet, answer questions and help establish positive dental habits from an early age.
We also talked about the importance of parents feeling comfortable with their child’s dentist. Children can pick up on their parents’ feelings and attitudes, so creating positive experiences around dental visits from the beginning can make a big difference as they grow.
Starting good habits early
Our main message throughout the session was simple: prevention starts early.
Small habits, such as brushing twice a day, choosing tooth-friendly foods and drinks, and introducing your child to the dentist early, can help set the foundation for a healthy smile throughout childhood.
It was wonderful to meet so many new mums and have the opportunity to answer their questions in a relaxed and supportive environment.
A big thank you to Woden Library for hosting us and to everyone who came along and participated.
At rfg Dentistry, we love being able to share practical oral health information with families in our local Canberra community. If you have questions about your baby’s teeth, teething, brushing or their first dental visit, we’d be happy to help.
