{"id":780,"date":"2025-08-04T10:38:38","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T00:38:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/?p=780"},"modified":"2025-08-04T10:41:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T00:41:56","slug":"s-milestones-a-parents-guide-to-every-stage-of-your-childs-oral-health-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/s-milestones-a-parents-guide-to-every-stage-of-your-childs-oral-health-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"S-milestones: A Parent\u2019s Guide to Your Child\u2019s Oral Health Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter  size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\"  class=\"img-fluid mb-2 w-100 rounded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/dhw2025-title.jpg\" alt=\"Dental Health Week - reach every S-milestone class=\"wp-image-207\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify g-font-size-16 g-mb-20 wp-block-paragraph\">Dental Health Week celebrates \u201c<strong>S-milestones<\/strong>\u201d; the key stages in your child\u2019s oral health journey. From cleaning gums before teeth erupt to supporting independent brushing, each S-milestone helps build lifelong habits for healthy smiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-justify g-font-size-16 g-mb-20\">Almost half of the Australian population has one or more chronic diseases and yet 70% of people are not aware of the link between their oral health and chronic medical conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"text-justify g-font-size-22 g-font-weight-700 g-mt-40 \">\ud83d\udc76 Smilestone #1: Birth to First Toot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid mb-4 w-100 rounded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2.png\" alt=\"Oral disease and general health\" class=\"wp-image-674\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"g-font-size-16 text-justify g-mb-20\">Even before teeth appear, oral hygiene matters. Milk residue and bacteria can build up on your baby\u2019s gums.<br><br>Tips include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"g-list-style-circle g-font-size-16\">\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Use a clean, soft cloth dampened with warm water\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Gently wipe gums after feeds\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Start building a routine early\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"g-font-size-16 text-justify g-mb-20\">This gentle care sets the stage for healthy teeth and a positive attitude toward oral hygiene.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"text-justify g-font-size-22 g-font-weight-700 g-mt-40 \">\ud83e\uddb7 Smilestone #2: First Tooth to 18 Months<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid mb-4 w-100 rounded\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3.png\" alt=\"oral health and heart disease and diabetes\" class=\"wp-image-682\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<p class=\"g-font-size-16 text-justify g-mb-20\">Once that first tooth erupts (usually around 6 months), it\u2019s time to start brushing and visit the dentist.<br><br>Tips include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"g-list-style-circle g-font-size-16\">\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Brush twice daily with water and a soft baby toothbrush\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Book your child\u2019s first dental visit when the first tooth appears or by age one\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Make dental visits fun and stress-free\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"g-font-size-16 text-justify g-mb-20\">Early visits help detect issues and build comfort with dental care.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"text-justify g-font-size-22 g-font-weight-700 g-mt-40 \">\ud83e\uddd2 Smilestone #3: 18 Months to 6 Years<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\"  class=\"img-fluid mb-4 w-100 rounded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/4.png\" alt=\"oral disease pregnancy lung issues and mental health\" class=\"wp-image-680\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<p class=\"g-font-size-16 text-justify g-mb-20\">Your child\u2019s smile is growing fast\u2014and so should their oral care routine.\n<br><br>Tips include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"g-list-style-circle g-font-size-16\">\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste (pea-sized amount)\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Floss between teeth that touch\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Schedule regular dental check-ups every 6\u201312 months\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"g-font-size-16 text-justify g-mb-20\">Make brushing fun with songs, timers, or reward charts to build consistency.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"text-justify g-font-size-22 g-font-weight-700 g-mt-40 \">\ud83e\uddfc Smilestone #4: From 6 Years Old\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid mb-4 w-100 rounded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/5.png\" alt=\"oral health and lung problems and gut issues\" class=\"wp-image-679\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<p class=\"g-font-size-16 text-justify g-mb-20\">As your child matures, their oral care routine should too.\n<br><br>Tips include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"g-list-style-circle g-font-size-16\">\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Switch to adult fluoride toothpaste\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Continue regular dental visits\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Encourage independence while supervising technique\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"g-font-size-16 text-justify g-mb-20\">Children may still need help with flossing and brushing thoroughly\u2014especially molars.\n<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"text-justify g-font-size-22 g-font-weight-700 g-mt-40 \">\ud83e\uddd1 Smilestone #5: From 8 Years\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid mb-4 w-100 rounded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/6.png\" alt=\"oral health and lung problems and gut issues\" class=\"wp-image-679\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<p class=\"g-font-size-16 text-justify g-mb-20\">Now your child is ready to take the lead!\n<br><br>Tips include:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"g-list-style-circle g-font-size-16\">\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Support independent brushing and flossing\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Reinforce twice-daily brushing and daily flossing\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Maintain regular dental visits\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"g-font-size-16 text-justify g-mb-20\">Celebrate their independence and keep encouraging good habits. These routines will carry them into adulthood with strong, confident smiles.\n\n<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"text-justify g-font-size-22 g-font-weight-700 g-mt-40 \">Every Smile is Special and Beautiful<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"g-font-size-16 text-justify g-mb-20 wp-block-paragraph\">Every smilestone is a chance to build lifelong oral health. By following expert-backed advice and making dental care a positive experience, you\u2019re setting your child up for a lifetime of healthy, happy smiles.<br><br> To maintain good oral health, we encourage everyone to do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"text-justify g-font-size-22 g-font-weight-700 g-mt-40 \">Four key steps for good oral health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"g-list-style-circle g-font-size-16\">\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Brush teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/brush-your-teeth-twice-daily\/\"><i class=\"fa fa-external-link g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i><\/a>\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Clean between your teeth every day using floss or interdental brushes. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/floss-the-teeth-you-want-to-keep\/\"><i class=\"fa fa-external-link g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i><\/a>\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Eat a healthy, balanced diet and limit \u000badded sugar intake<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/sugars-can-adversely-affect-your-health\/\"><i class=\"fa fa-external-link g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i><\/a>\n<li class=\"d-flex g-mb-10\">\n        <i class=\"icon-check g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i>Visit the dentist regularly for check-ups and preventative care.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/visit-your-dentist-regularly\/\"><i class=\"fa fa-external-link g-color-primary g-mt-5 g-mr-10\"><\/i><\/a>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" class=\"img-fluid mb-4 w-100 rounded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/oh-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"4 steps to good oral health\" class=\"wp-image-676\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/oh-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/oh-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/oh-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/oh-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/oh-24x24.jpg 24w, https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/oh-48x48.jpg 48w, https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/oh-96x96.jpg 96w, https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/oh.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"text-justify g-font-size-22 g-font-weight-700 g-mt-40\">References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<a class=\"g-font-size-16 text-justify g-mb-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.teeth.org.au\/teeth\/dental-health-week\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\">This information was obtained from the ADA Dental Health Week Website<\/a><br>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dental Health Week celebrates \u201cS-milestones\u201d; the key stages in your child\u2019s oral health journey. From cleaning gums before teeth erupt to supporting independent brushing, each S-milestone helps build lifelong habits for healthy smiles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":794,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,16,19,43],"tags":[23,20,17,13,21],"class_list":["post-780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dental-health","category-dental-health-week","category-oral-health","category-preventive","tag-diet","tag-flossing","tag-oral-health","tag-smile-hawthorn","tag-tooth-brushing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/780","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=780"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/780\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":796,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/780\/revisions\/796"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/794"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smilehawthorn.com.au\/the-wisdom-tooth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}