Most babies get their first tooth around six months and their last primary molars before they turn three. Your child will keep these “baby” teeth until age 10 or 12, so it’s important to care for them. Here’s how to keep your child’s smile bright and healthy

First Tooth, First Visit: A Dentist's Guide for Parents

Your baby's first teeth are temporary, but they play an important role in eating, speech, development and creating space for the permanent teeth that follow.

Good dental habits can begin before the first tooth even appears.

Here are ten things parents can do to give a child a healthy start.

1. Start Cleaning Before the First Tooth

You can gently wipe your baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth.

Besides keeping the mouth clean, this helps make oral care a familiar part of the daily routine before brushing begins.

2. Start Brushing When the First Tooth Appears

Once teeth begin to erupt, start brushing them twice a day using an age-appropriate toothbrush.

Young children need an adult to perform or closely supervise brushing because they do not yet have the dexterity to clean their teeth effectively.

3. Be Careful With Bedtime Bottles and Drinks

Allowing a baby or toddler to fall asleep with milk, juice or another carbohydrate-containing drink can expose the teeth to sugars for an extended period.

If your child needs a drink after brushing at bedtime, water is the safest choice for the teeth.

4. Ask Your Dentist About Fluoride

Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps protect against cavities.

The appropriate use of fluoridated toothpaste in young children depends on age and cavity risk.

Your dentist can help you choose the right amount of toothpaste and determine whether your child has additional risk factors for tooth decay.

5. Look at Your Child's Teeth

Parents often notice changes first.

Periodically lift your child's lips and look at the teeth and gums. If you notice white, brown or dark areas, damaged teeth, swelling or something else that concerns you, contact your dentist.

6. Start Flossing When Teeth Touch

Once adjacent teeth are touching closely enough that the toothbrush cannot clean between them, flossing becomes important.

Floss handles can sometimes make the process easier with toddlers and young children.

7. Let Children See You Brush

Young children learn by imitation.

Letting them watch you brush and floss helps make oral care feel like an ordinary part of family life rather than something imposed only on them.

8. Don't Share Toothbrushes

Cavity-causing bacteria can be transferred through saliva.

Avoid sharing toothbrushes and try not to clean pacifiers or utensils with your own mouth before giving them back to your child.

9. When Should a Baby First Visit the Dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends that a child's first dental assessment occur within six months of the eruption of the first tooth or by approximately one year of age.

The first visit allows the dentist to look at development, identify potential problems and help parents establish good habits before dental problems begin.

Topics can include:

• brushing and oral hygiene

• fluoride

• feeding habits

• tooth development

• thumb-sucking and pacifiers

• injury prevention

• diet and cavities

• what parents should watch for at home

10. Make Dental Visits Normal Early

An early visit is not just about finding cavities.

It gives a young child a chance to become familiar with the dental environment and helps establish the dentist as a normal part of staying healthy.

That can make future visits considerably easier.

Looking for a family dentist in Midtown Toronto?

Dr. Tarra Elliott and the team at Eglinton Way Dentistry welcome children and families at our practice near Eglinton and Avenue Road.