Your baby’s first tooth is a big milestone. It’s also the moment to start a lifelong habit of good oral care. Baby teeth may fall out eventually, but they matter a lot while they’re here.
Here’s how to care for your baby’s teeth from the very first day.
Why Are Baby Teeth Important?
Baby teeth do more than help your child smile. They:
- Help with eating. Front teeth bite and cut food. Back teeth chew and grind it.
- Help with speech. Teeth work with the tongue and lips to form sounds and words.
- Save space for adult teeth. Baby teeth hold a spot for the permanent teeth growing underneath. If one is lost too early, nearby teeth can shift and crowd the adult tooth.
- Build confidence. A healthy smile helps kids feel good about talking and playing with others.
When Do Baby Teeth Come In?
Most babies get their first tooth between 6 and 12 months of age. The two bottom front teeth usually come in first, followed by the top front teeth. Teeth often arrive in pairs. By about age 3, most children have all 20 baby teeth.
Small gaps between baby teeth are normal. Those spaces leave room for the bigger adult teeth later.
How to Care for Your Baby’s Teeth
Before the First Tooth
Clean your baby’s gums after feedings. Wrap a clean, damp washcloth or gauze around your finger and gently wipe the gums. This removes milk and bacteria and keeps the gums healthy.
Once Teeth Appear
As soon as the first tooth comes in:
- Use a soft, baby-sized toothbrush.
- Brush twice a day, especially before bed.
- Use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice.
- Brush gently in small circles along the gumline.
It helps to sit your child on your lap, facing away from you, so you can see into their mouth.
From Age 3
Increase the toothpaste to a pea-sized amount. Teach your child to spit it out after brushing. They don’t need to rinse with water. Leaving a little toothpaste on the teeth gives the fluoride more time to work.
Keep helping with brushing until your child is about 7 or 8. Young kids don’t have the hand control to clean every tooth on their own. Replace the toothbrush every three months, or sooner if the bristles look worn.
Schedule the First Dental Visit Early
Your child should see a dentist by their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth. An early visit lets the dentist spot problems early and gives you tips for your child’s age. Learn more about what to expect at a first dental visit.
Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Baby bottle tooth decay happens when milk, formula, or juice sits on the teeth for a long time. Bacteria feed on the sugars and make acid that wears away young enamel. Baby teeth have thin enamel, so decay can spread quickly.
To protect your baby’s teeth:
- Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice. If they need a bottle to sleep, use plain water.
- Skip juice and sweet drinks in bottles and sippy cups.
- Wipe or brush after feedings, especially at night.
- Start using a cup around your child’s first birthday.
Losing Baby Teeth at School
Eventually, those baby teeth will fall out, sometimes at school. Help your child get ready:
- Talk about what to do if a tooth comes out, like telling a teacher or visiting the nurse.
- Pack a small container or envelope for a loose tooth.
- Keep it positive. Losing a tooth is exciting, not scary.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should my baby first see a dentist?
By their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth coming in.
How much toothpaste should my baby use?
A smear about the size of a grain of rice until age 3. Then a pea-sized amount from age 3 to 6.
Is juice okay in a bottle?
It’s best to avoid it. Juice coats the teeth in sugar, especially when sipped slowly or at bedtime.
Do baby teeth really matter if they fall out anyway?
Yes. Baby teeth help with eating and speech, and they hold space for adult teeth. Cavities in baby teeth can cause pain and infections too.
Looking for a dentist who loves working with little ones? Learn about our pediatric dentistry services.