Dental Habits for Babies
Did you know babies’ teeth are at risk for decay as soon as they appear? Your baby should begin developing teeth at around 6 months and typically babies get tooth decay in the upper front teeth. This decay can be prevented to ensure your child has a full set of 20 baby teeth by age 3.
Clean your baby’s gums with a clean, moist gauze pad or washcloth before teeth appear. When teeth do erupt, clean with a fluoride toothpaste—use no more than a smear the size of a grain of rice! After your child is turns 3, you can brush twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make sure they don’t swallow the toothpaste! Children need to be supervised during brushing to make sure they’re doing a proper job.
It’s never too early to start you child on the path to excellent oral health!