Book Now
09 2166 888

7 Healthy Tips for Kids’ Teeth

Keeping your child’s teeth healthy is one of the best long-term investments you can make in their overall wellbeing. Good oral hygiene habits formed early not only protect children from cavities and gum disease, but also help support proper jaw development, speech, and long-term orthodontic health.

Whether you’re a parent of a toddler or a teen, these 7 orthodontist-approved tips for kids’ teeth will help keep your child’s smile bright and healthy.

1. Model Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Children learn by watching—so let them see your routine. Making oral care a visible part of your daily routine sets the tone for your child’s own habits. 

Show them how you floss, how often you brush, and how long you brush for (at least 2 minutes). Parents who brush and floss in front of their kids naturally encourage them to mirror those habits. 

2. Establish Consistent Daily Routines

Routines help children understand that taking care of their teeth isn’t optional. Setting a predictable oral-care routine reinforces good habits:

  • Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
  • Floss daily once teeth begin touching
  • Rinse with a child-friendly mouthwash (if age-appropriate)
  • Encourage plenty of water throughout the day

3. Teach a Systematic Brushing Technique

Simply “moving the toothbrush around” won’t remove plaque effectively. Children need to learn an organised brushing pattern. Teach them to brush with steps, such as:

  1. Start with the upper teeth
  2. Use circular motions on outer surfaces
  3. Use back-and-forth motions to remove food particles on chewing surfaces
  4. Tilt the brush and clean the inner surfaces
  5. Move to the lower teeth and repeat
  6. Gently clean the tongue and roof of the mouth to reduce bacteria 

A methodical approach ensures every tooth gets attention, reducing the risk of decay and future orthodontic issues.

4. Limit Sugar and Sour Foods

Sugar and acids are the biggest contributors to tooth decay. Sour lollies, soft drinks, juices, and sports drinks create an acidic environment that weakens enamel. To protect kids’ teeth:

  • Keep sugary snacks occasional
  • Avoid sipping sugary drinks over long periods
  • Offer water as the main beverage
  • Choose tooth-friendly snacks like cheese, yoghurt, nuts, and vegetables

This helps prevent cavities and supports healthy tooth and jaw development.

5. Stick to Three Balanced Meals a Day

Frequent snacking—especially on processed foods—increases the risk of decay, even with good brushing. Structured eating habits support better oral bacteria balance and reduce plaque buildup.

Encourage your child to have three nutritious, balanced meals with limited snacks in between. Thirst can often be confused with hunger, so also encourage them to drink plenty of water in between meal times. 

6. Include Calcium-Rich Foods for Strong Teeth

Calcium supports strong enamel and proper jaw development. A balanced diet that includes calcium is essential for building healthy teeth and bones, especially during childhood and adolescence. Make sure your child’s diet incorporates:

  • Milk
  • Yoghurt
  • Cheese
  • Green leafy vegetables
  • Almonds

7. Monitor Oral Hygiene with Spot Checks

Even if your child says they’ve brushed, it’s still helpful to monitor their habits. Young children especially may need assistance or supervision.

Plaque disclosing tablets (fun and educational) and reward charts to keep kids motivated are great tools that can help. Even occasional spot checks help catch issues early and ensure good habits are truly taking hold.

How to Support Strong Smiles from an Early Age

Early assessment can make future treatment simpler and more effective. The New Zealand Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check around age 7. 

Helping your child develop strong oral hygiene habits sets them up for a lifetime of confident smiles. By focusing on daily routines, a balanced diet, and good brushing technique, you can dramatically reduce the risk of tooth decay and orthodontic complications later on.

When to See an Orthodontist

Good oral hygiene supports healthy development, but some orthodontic concerns can still arise as your child grows. Contact our orthodontist team if you notice:

  • Crowding
  • Early or late loss of baby teeth
  • Bite concerns
  • Mouth breathing
  • Difficulty chewing

We are ready to help. Book a FREE consultation at Shakespeare Orthodontics today.

Shakespeare Orthodontics: Creating a Smile You Love​

4 Auckland Locations: Takapuna (North Shore), Epsom, Warkworth, Howick​

Request an Appointment

Book Now

Ph: 09 2166 888

NEXT READ

Kiwis are obsessed…

Dr. Adriana Perez

BDS (Ven/Esp) | MDS-Orth (Arg)
 
Dr. Adriana Perez grew up in Caracas, Venezuela. She is one of the registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland.

 

In 2008, Adriana graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Santa Maria University in Caracas, Venezuela. After graduation, she worked in Venezuela in private practice, at the Orthopaedic Children’s Hospital (Dentistry/Orthodontics unit), and as a lecturer in the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces.

In the year 2011, Adriana moved to Argentina to specialise, gaining the Specialist Orthodontist degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 2013. While in Argentina, she worked as a part-time lecturer at the Orthodontics Department in the University of Buenos Aires, private practice, and at the Craniofacial Unit in the Paediatric Hospital Garrahan, looking after cleft lip new-born, children, and adolescent patients.

Adriana is a Spanish speaker. On her spare time she likes going to the beach, travelling, socialising with friends, playing video games, cooking, and going to the gym.

Linkedin
Orthodontist Adriana Perez

Dr. Azza Al-Ani

BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd

Dr Azza Al-Ani, grew up in Christchurch, is a registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland. You can find her at one of the clinics in the city, or at their Takapuna clinic on the North Shore. 

In 2009, Azza graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Credit from the University of Otago.

She worked as a dental house surgeon at Auckland, Greenlane and Middlemore Hospitals; and as a dental officer at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital.

In 2012, she completed the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) primary examinations.

Before commencing her specialist training, she held a part-time Professional Practice Fellow position at the Faculty of Dentistry, while working as a dentist in private practice.

In 2016, Azza graduated from the University of Otago with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics. She passed examinations to gain memberships into the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

She is also certified with the Australasian Orthodontic Board, and is a member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, and the New Zealand Dental Association.

Azza’s area of research interest is hypodontia.
She has presented about this topic at the European Orthodontic Society Congress, and at the International Association Dental Research ANZ Scientific Meeting, and has been involved in the publication of numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Outside of work, Azza loves spending time with her son and Mo (her husband), socialising with family and friends, overseas travel, and tries to keep up with Mo mountain biking.

Waiheke Island

Dr. Mo Al-Dujaili

BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd

Mo is a Specialist Orthodontist. He grew up in both New Zealand and Australia.

After completing a year in Health Sciences, and later physiotherapy, he qualified as a dentist in New Zealand. He spent the next four years working alongside his father in Sydney where he practised general dentistry. Mo then returned to Dunedin to specialise, gaining his specialist degree – Clinical Doctorate in Orthodontics from the University of Otago.

During the three years of specialist training, Mo had the privilege of learning from the best. The combined clinical and academic acumen of professors, doctors and staff provided an invaluable experience.

Meanwhile, Mo published and presented significant research and clinical cases at both national and international forums, including the International Association of Dental Research, the Australasian Begg Society of Orthodontics, the European Orthodontic Society and the New Zealand Dental Association conference.

A firm believer in maintaining high clinical standards, Mo successfully completed further examinations to become affiliated with the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Sydney).

Mo is currently a part time senior lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, a Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists and also holds professional memberships with the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, the New Zealand Dental Association and American Association of Orthodontists.

He has also been involved in the supervising and lecturing of students at the Auckland University of Technology.

Outside of work, Mo enjoys the precious time with his young family and the outdoors. He especially loves mountain biking, running, fishing, diving and, in winter, snowboarding.

Traveling along with his best friend and wife (Azza) around the world has also been a big part of Mo’s life. Mo is primarily based in Shakespeare Orthodontic’s city clinics and on the North Shore.

 
Linkedin
Mo holding a large snapper