Baby teeth are a special step in a child’s growth, bringing joy and new challenges for parents. These first teeth, also called primary teeth, help with eating, speaking, and a bright smile. Understanding teething and proper care keeps your baby comfortable and their teeth healthy. Pediatric dentistry provides expert advice to guide parents through this time. 

Let’s learn when babies start teething, pain relief, care tips, and dental visits to ensure a strong start for your child’s oral health.

When Do Babies Start Teething?

Most babies get their first tooth between 6 and 12 months, often starting with the lower front teeth (central incisors). Some may not have teeth by their first birthday, which is normal, but if no teeth appear by 18 months, a dentist should check for delays. 

Around 3 months, babies may drool more, chew on hands, or explore with their mouths, though these signs don’t always mean teething. By age 3, most children have all 20 baby teeth, supporting chewing and speech development.

The order and timing of baby teeth vary, with bottom teeth often appearing before top ones. The importance of childhood dental visits helps track this process, ensuring teeth grow properly. Regular checkups catch any issues early, keeping your baby’s smile on track. 

This table shows the typical timing for baby teeth appearance and loss:

Teething can make gums sore or cause tooth sensitivity, leading to fussiness, extra drooling, or chewing on objects. To help, gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger or offer a solid, cold teething ring; avoid liquid-filled ones that may break. 

A clean, frozen washcloth can also soothe discomfort. Always consult a dentist or doctor for proper pain management instructions to ensure safe and effective relief tailored to your baby.

On tough nights, ask your doctor about paracetamol for babies under 6 months for those over 6 months, dosed by weight. Avoid teething gels with benzocaine, tablets with belladonna, or amber necklaces, as they’re unsafe and unproven. 

A slight temperature rise is normal, but a fever over 38°C suggests illness, not teething, and needs medical care. Consulting a dentist ensures you’re using the best methods to ease teething pain safely.

Proper Care for Baby Teeth

Caring for baby teeth sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles, as these teeth guide permanent ones into place. Starting early prevents decay and keeps gums strong. Below are key steps for teeth cleaning with clear, detailed explanations:

• Wipe Gums Early

Before teeth appear, wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, wet cloth after feedings to remove milk or bacteria. This simple habit, part of teeth cleaning, stops plaque buildup and gets your baby used to oral care, making brushing easier later.

• Brush with Fluoride

Once the first tooth shows, brush twice daily with a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste, increasing to pea-sized at age 3. Parents should brush until age 6, helping kids spit out excess to prevent decay and keep teeth strong.

• Avoid Bedtime Bottles

Don’t put babies to bed with milk or juice bottles, as sugars sit on teeth overnight, causing decay. Wean to a cup by 12 months to reduce cavity risk and support healthy tooth growth.

• Use Fluoridated Water

From 6 months, offer a few ounces of fluoridated tap water daily, avoiding bottled water without fluoride. This strengthens enamel, protecting baby teeth from decay and supporting long-term oral health.

Scheduling for Your Kid’s First Dental Visits

The importance of childhood dental visits starts with your child’s first dental appointment, ideally by 12 months or within 6 months of their first tooth. This visit helps your baby feel at ease with the dentist, building trust for future checkups. 

Lasting 30 to 45 minutes, the visit may include a gentle exam of teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to ensure healthy growth. If needed, the dentist may polish teeth, remove plaque or tartar, and show you proper cleaning techniques, like flossing, tailored to your child’s age.

Dentists may apply fluoride varnish to strengthen teeth and advise on fluoride needs. Baby teeth usually don’t need X-rays, but if decay is suspected or a tooth is jammed, X-rays might be needed to check for issues affecting adult teeth. X-rays are kept to a minimum for young children unless essential. 

Regular visits every six months create a “dental home,” ensuring ongoing care through pediatric dentistry. If a pediatric dentist isn’t available, a general dentist comfortable with young kids can provide the same expert support.

Supporting Your Baby's Teeth Health

Baby teeth need careful attention to ensure a healthy start for your child’s smile and future permanent teeth. From the moment teething begins, use safe pain relief, start kids' teeth cleaning early, and schedule regular dental visits to catch issues before they grow. 

Avoid risky habits like bedtime bottles, and offer fluoridated water to strengthen enamel. These steps prevent decay, ease discomfort like tooth sensitivity, and set up lifelong oral health habits.

For expert support, Invisalign Center in Dubai offers specialized pediatric and general dentistry services, from first checkups to fluoride treatments, to ensure your baby’s teeth stay strong. 

Our team guides parents with clear advice, making dental visits stress-free for kids. By starting early and staying consistent, you’ll help your child’s smile shine bright, ready for every laugh and bite as they grow.