Good oral health begins before your baby’s first tooth appears. Establishing healthy habits early can help protect your child’s developing teeth and create a strong foundation for lifelong oral health.

Parents and caregivers play an important role in keeping an infant’s mouth healthy, from cleaning the gums and caring for the first teeth to establishing healthy eating and brushing habits.

When Should You Start Cleaning Your Baby’s Mouth?

Oral care can begin before your baby’s first tooth appears. Gently wiping your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth can help remove milk and food residue and can also help your baby become accustomed to having their mouth cleaned.

Once the first tooth appears, begin brushing it gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and an appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste.

When Should Your Baby First See a Dentist?

Children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth appearing, whichever comes first.

An early visit allows your dental team to check your baby’s developing teeth and gums, identify potential concerns, and provide guidance about brushing, feeding, fluoride, and other aspects of infant oral health.

Taking Care of Baby Teeth

Baby teeth are important even though they will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth. They help children chew food, develop clear speech, and maintain space for their permanent teeth.

Healthy baby teeth can also make eating more comfortable and help children develop positive oral hygiene habits from an early age.

Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth

As soon as your baby’s first tooth appears, brush twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

• Use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush designed for infants.
• Use an age-appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• Brush gently around all surfaces of the teeth.
• Brush twice a day, particularly before bedtime.
• Supervise brushing as your child grows.

Young children do not yet have the coordination needed to brush thoroughly on their own, so parents and caregivers should help with brushing.

Fluoride & Your Baby’s Teeth

Fluoride helps strengthen developing and erupted teeth and can help prevent cavities. Fluoride toothpaste should be used from the time the first tooth appears, in an age-appropriate amount.

Your dental professional can provide personalized advice about fluoride based on your child’s age, oral health, and local water supply.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Frequent or prolonged exposure to milk, formula, juice, or other drinks containing sugars can increase the risk of early childhood tooth decay.

When sugary liquids remain on a baby’s teeth for extended periods, bacteria can produce acids that damage tooth enamel.

To help protect your baby’s teeth, avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice, or another sugary drink.

Feeding & Oral Health

Feeding habits can influence your child’s risk of tooth decay. Once teeth appear, frequent exposure to sugary foods and drinks should be limited.

Water is a good choice between meals. Talk with your dental team if you have questions about your child’s feeding habits or risk of tooth decay.

Pacifiers & Thumb Sucking

Sucking is a natural reflex for babies and can provide comfort. Pacifiers and thumb sucking are common during infancy, but prolonged habits can affect the development and position of the teeth and jaws.

If your child continues to suck their thumb or use a pacifier as they get older, discuss the habit with your dental professional. They can advise you on when and how to encourage your child to stop.

Teething

Teething occurs as your baby’s first teeth begin to emerge through the gums. It can cause temporary discomfort, increased drooling, and a desire to chew on objects.

You can help make your baby more comfortable by providing a clean, chilled teething ring or allowing them to chew on an appropriate teething object.

Avoid placing medication directly on your baby’s gums unless specifically recommended by a healthcare professional.

Healthy Snacks for Growing Teeth

As your child begins eating solid foods, offering nutritious choices can support both general health and oral health.

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Cheese and other nutritious dairy products
• Whole grains
• Foods with little or no added sugar
• Water as the main drink between meals

Try to limit frequent snacking on sugary or sticky foods, which can increase the amount of time teeth are exposed to cavity-causing acids.

Protecting Baby Teeth From Cavities

Early childhood cavities can develop quickly, particularly when teeth are frequently exposed to sugary foods and drinks.

Parents can help reduce the risk by brushing their child’s teeth twice a day, limiting sugary snacks and drinks, avoiding bedtime bottles containing sugary liquids, and maintaining regular dental visits.

What Should You Do If Your Baby’s Tooth Is Injured?

Dental injuries can happen as babies become more mobile and begin learning to walk. If your child’s tooth is chipped, broken, displaced, or injured, contact your dental team for advice.

Even if the injury does not appear serious, an examination may be recommended to make sure the tooth and surrounding tissues have not been damaged.

Regular Dental Visits From an Early Age

Early dental visits help your child become familiar with the dental environment while allowing your dental team to monitor the development of their teeth and gums.

These visits also provide parents with an opportunity to ask questions about brushing, fluoride, nutrition, teething, pacifiers, thumb sucking, and other oral health concerns.

Building Healthy Habits Early

Children learn by watching the adults around them. Making brushing and regular dental visits a normal part of everyday life can help establish positive habits that continue as your child grows.

With consistent care at home and regular professional dental visits, you can help give your child a healthy start and protect their developing smile.

A Healthy Start for Your Baby’s Smile

Taking care of your baby’s mouth from the beginning can help prevent dental problems and establish good oral health habits for the future.

If you have questions about your baby’s teeth, teething, brushing, feeding habits, or first dental visit, the team at Scarborough Village Dental Care is here to provide guidance tailored to your child’s needs.