How to Care for Your Baby’s First Teeth and Gums

Oral care for babies should start before those first baby teeth even start to cut through the gums. But, there is a difference in how you care for your baby's mouth before the teeth start to show... and after they're in place.

Caring for Your Baby's Gums

Gently wipe down your Baby's gums after feedings and at bedtime using a clean, damp washcloth.

Brushing Your Baby's Teeth (over 4 months old)

Use a finger brush or soft-bristle baby toothbrush with a wide handle and a small head. Parents should brush their child's teeth 2 times a day. For babies 4 months and up, use a fluoride-free product like Baby Orajel Tooth & Gum Cleanser.

Dental Hygiene for Children: When to See a Dentist

Start proper dental hygiene at a very young age, and your child will be on the path to a lifetime of good oral care.

By 6 months old, take your child for an oral-health assessment performed by a primary care practitioner. The doctor will:

- Evaluate your baby's risk of developing oral disease and perform a cavity-risk assessment

- Provide education on infant oral health

- Evaluate fluoride exposure (and provides supplemental treatment, if needed)

By 12 months old, take your baby for his or her first dental visit. The dentist will:

- Help you and your child understand and be comfortable with the oral care process

- Provide an age-appropriate demonstration of brushing teeth

- Determine the need for fluoride treatments

- Establish a routine of regular checkups and give you a place to turn in the event of a dental emergency

Teaching Kids to Brush Their Teeth and Floss Correctly

Follow these tips to make sure your child is developing good oral care habits.

Brushing Basics:

- Set a timer or play a song to make sure they brush for the recommended minimum of 2 minutes

- Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle gently against the gum line

- Brush from the base of the tooth to the chewing surface

- Use short, round strokes for the front and back of teeth and short, sweeping strokes for the chewing surfaces

- Change your child's toothbrushes 3 to 4 times a year

The Finer Points of Flossing:

- Floss once daily to remove particles between teeth

- Correctly hold the floss by winding about 18 inches of floss around the middle fingers of each hand and pinching it between the thumb and index finger

- Gently insert the floss between two teeth using a back and forth motion

- Curve the floss around each tooth in a C shape and move it up and down each tooth

Preventing Cavities and Tooth Decay in Baby Teeth

Just because they’re baby teeth doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about cavities and tooth decay. Identify and prevent baby tooth decay with these tips.

Know the Signs: Identifying Cavities in Baby Teeth

- Be aware of any discoloration of the teeth.

- Be aware of any pits on the teeth.

Healthy Habits: Help Avoid Tooth Decay

- Never put your baby to bed with a bottle or a sippy cup of: juice, milk, or formula.

- Breastfeeding provides the best possible nutrition and has not been associated with an increased risk of cavities in baby teeth.

- Do not share eating utensils (forks, spoons, straws, etc.) with your baby. Bacteria from your mouth can be passed on to the baby increasing their risk of tooth decay.

- Clean your baby's teeth and gums twice a day.

- Establish a relationship with a Dentist by 12 months of age.