What To Do When Your Baby’s First Tooth Comes In

Most babies tend to get their first tooth right around 6 months old. While they aren’t eating solid food yet, infant dental care is very important from the moment they get their first tooth. Babies tend to put everything in their mouth’s, from their hands, your hands, blankets, to anything they can grab. Some parents tend to think this means they are teething. Most children will keep teething until they’re about 3 years old.

Baby’s First Tooth

Even before your baby has their first tooth – it’s not too early to start thinking about their oral health and hygiene. When your baby’s first tooth comes in, it’s normal for their gums to be swollen and tender. To help ease their pain, you can rub a clean finger or a wet cloth on the gums.

Once your baby has their first tooth, others will come fast. At this time, it’s best to start seeing a dentist to get your child used to this common checkup as well as make sure their teeth are growing in as they should.  Your baby’s teeth are important to their development. Teeth help babies chew, eat, and smile.  These teeth are placeholders for their adult teeth and help set them up for a healthy mouth throughout their life.

Baby’s First Dental Visit

At your baby’s first dental visit, your dentist can check for cavities and give advice on how to introduce brushing and keeping your baby’s mouth clean and healthy. They can also go over habits like sucking a thumb and a pacifier. Your dentist will also go over how to brush your baby’s teeth & gums. It’s important to start to add fluoride to your child’s dental routine as fluoride helps prevent tooth decay.

The American Dental Association and All Pro Dental recommend that as soon as your baby has their first teeth that it’s time to make their first dental appointment. Children’s dentistry is important to make sure your baby’s teeth are developing properly and have no dental problems. For questions about bringing your baby to the dentist, you can call us at (781) 853 – 0111 or contact us via our website. All Pro Dental specializes in children’s dentistry and is happy to help your child have a healthy mouth throughout their life.