Brush Up on Early Oral Health

Visit the dentist as soon as baby’s first tooth comes in, and no later than baby’s first birthday

During the visit, your dentist will check the health of your baby’s mouth, including any teeth. 

While you’re there, it’s a great time to ask questions about teething, feeding, and more.

Finish feeding before bedtime, and keep bottles out of bed

In addition to being a major choking hazard, bottles in bed put infants and children at risk for “baby bottle syndrome.”

When a baby falls asleep with a bottle, the milk or other sugary liquid inside pools behind their front teeth and will gradually wear away the protective enamel. Over time, this can lead to cavities and tooth decay, or even require oral surgery in some cases.

Build a regular, reliable routine around taking care of teeth

Babies and little kids love the predictability and comfort of routine.

Make brushing teeth (or wiping gums) part of your everyday rhythm, and before long, you’ll have a healthy new habit—and the healthy teeth to show for it—in place.

For babies without teeth:

• Wipe gums with a soft, clean cloth after their first feeding of the day, and again right before bed, to remove cavity-causing bacteria
• See the dentist for their first visit as soon as the first tooth comes in

For babies with teeth and kids up to age 3:

• Brush gently 2 times a day, 2 minutes at a time, using a super-small amount (like a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste
• See the dentist once every six months

For kids ages 3-6:

• Brush gently 2 times a day, 2 minutes at a time, using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
• See the dentist once every six months

Your dentist or pediatric provider may also recommend applying a fluoride treatment to your child’s teeth as an extra way to fight cavities—especially in communities without fluoridated water. You can ask your provider any questions you have about the benefits of fluoride during your visit!