Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, can look like small holes or black marks on the teeth. To check for tooth decay, and to keep your baby's teeth healthy and strong, you should take you baby to a dentist as soon as their first tooth appears, or before their first birthday.

Thumb sucking and dummy use can be comforting for young children and is very common. Most children outgrow this habit. If children continue to do this as they get older, it can cause problems with their adult teeth, the roof of their mouth, and their speech.

It is recommended to help your child to stop thumb-sucking or dummy use by the age 3. Your dentist can give you advice and support with this.