Baby Teeth 101

A Guide to Oral Hygiene

Think baby teeth aren't important because they aren't permanent? Think again! Caring for your baby's teeth is a critical first step in developing good dental hygiene. If you don't start now, the damage could be "permanent." Follow our by-the-ages guideline to develop your child's dental care routine.

First three months

At this stage, your child may not have many exposed teeth and you may not be thinking at all about oral hygiene. But according to Dr. LaRee Johnson, a pediatric dentist in Raleigh, caring for baby gums and teeth as they emerge is an important first step. "During bath time parents should use a soft wash cloth to clean baby's gums," advises Nancy St. Onge, a dental hygienist at Dr. Johnson's office.

Four to eight months

As baby's teeth begin to come in, it's important to begin brushing his teeth with a child-sized toothbrush and "training toothpaste". This early brushing do help get little ones acclimated to the toothbrush and the brushing sensation. Also, it's important not to put baby to bed with a bottle or let him remained latched to the breast after falling asleep because the prolonged contact with milk can cause tooth decay. "In order to prevent early childhood cavities, your child should never go to bed with a bottle," says pediatric dentist, Dr. Stephen Pretzer If your baby needs a bottle to fall asleep, try offering a bottle of water instead.

Nine months to one year

Now baby is working on a full smile. It's important to take your little one for his first dental visit during these months. This first visit will not only make baby more comfortable on later visits, it will give the dentist an opportunity to ensure that baby's teeth are coming in normally "The first dental visit is incredibly important in forming the foundation for a lifetime of excellent oral health," says Dr. Leslee Huggins, a pediatric dentist in Raleigh.

One year and up

It's time to begin the transition to a cup. Remember not to use fluoride toothpastes until your child can spit any paste that remains after brushing. Swallowing too much fluoride can lead to spots on baby's teeth.

"It is important to establish good habits early on to promote a lifetime of healthy smiles," says Dr. Pretzer.