Caring for Your Child’s Teeth

Oral care

  • Breastfeeding is best for your child’s oral health
  • If your baby takes bottles, never put the bottle in bed with your baby
  • Your child should start baby cereal, fruits and vegetables at 6 months old
  • Do not give your baby any juice
  • You don’t need to clean the gums.

Teeth

  • The average age of first tooth is 6 months, but many infants do not get any teeth until after a year old
  • All babies start drooling and chewing on things at 3-4 months old. This is NOT teething.
  • Teething does NOT cause fever, runny nose, or diarrhea. It might cause a little fussiness for a day or two, no longer.
  • Do NOT use teething gels like Oragel; these are dangerous in babies. Do NOT use homeopathic teething tablets.
  • Teething can be treated with chewing on something cold, or acetaminophen if extremely fussy (or ibuprofen if 6 months or older)

Oral Care

  • Breastfeeding is best for your child’s oral health.
  • If your baby takes bottles, never put the bottle in bed with your baby.
  • Your child should start baby cereal, fruits and vegetables at 6 months old, and table food around 8-9 months old.
  • Do not give your baby any juice.
  • Start teaching your baby how to use a cup around 8-9 months old.
  • You don’t need to clean the gums.
  • Dental visits are recommended starting when teeth come in or at 12 months old.
  • Fluoride varnish is recommended for teeth every 3-6 months at the dentist or in our office if your child does not have a dentist.

Teeth

  • Average age of first tooth is 6 months, but many infants do not get any teeth until after a year old.
  • Lack of teeth does not stop your baby from eating table food around 7-9 months and up.
  • Once teeth are in, start brushing them 1-2 times a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste. Infant/toddler toothpaste without fluoride is NOT recommended anymore but is still sold in stores. Be sure your toothpaste has fluoride in it.
  • Babies drool and chew on things whether they are teething or not.
  • Teething does NOT cause fever, runny nose, or diarrhea. It might cause a little fussiness for a day or two, no longer.
  • Do NOT use teething gels like Oragel; these are dangerous in babies. Do NOT use homeopathic teething tablets.
  • Teething can be treated with chewing on something cold, or ibuprofen (or acetaminophen) if extremely fussy.

Oral care

  • Bottles must stop by 15 months old.
  • You may keep breastfeeding as long as mutually desired.
  • If taking formula, transition to cow’s milk by 15 months old.
  • Dental visits are recommended starting when teeth come in or at 12 months old.
  • Fluoride varnish is recommended for teeth every 3-6 months at the dentist or in our office if your child does not have a dentist.

Teeth

  • Brush your child’s teeth twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste. Infant/toddler toothpaste without fluoride is NOT recommended anymore but is still sold in stores. Be sure your toothpaste has fluoride in it.
  • Be sure to brush before bed after the last food and drink
  • Teething does NOT cause fever, runny nose, or diarrhea. It might cause a little fussiness for a day or two, no longer.
  • Do NOT use teething gels like Oragel; these are dangerous in toddlers. Do NOT use homeopathic teething tablets.
  • Teething can be treated with chewing on something cold, or ibuprofen (or acetaminophen) if your child is extremely fussy.