Early Dental Care

Teething

First teeth typically appear between 6–12 months. Gums remain tender until age 3. Relief methods include:

• Gentle rubbing with clean fingers
• Cold spoons or cold wet cloths
• Cold teething rings

Monitor teeth every two weeks for signs of bottle decay, particularly on inner/tongue surfaces, looking for dull spots or lines.

Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Avoid allowing sleeping infants to bottle-feed. Substitute water-filled bottles or pacifiers for sleep comfort.

Infant's New Teeth

Primary teeth enable proper chewing and speech development. They guide permanent teeth into correct positions around age 6. Missing or prematurely lost primary teeth may require space maintainers to prevent crowding.

Tooth Eruption

Tooth formation begins prenatally. By 4 months, primary teeth emerge starting with lower central incisors. Twenty primary teeth typically erupt by age 3. Permanent teeth begin erupting around age 6, continuing until approximately age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth (32 with wisdom teeth).

A Child's First Dental Visit

Schedule around the first birthday. The focus is on building comfort and trust with the dental team.

Good Diet and Healthy Teeth

Balanced nutrition supports oral health. Vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and cheeses strengthen teeth.