All you need to know about baby's teeth

Baby’s teeth are more than just cute additions to their smile. Healthy baby teeth are part of your child’s overall health. In this article: Baby teeth facts Brushing tips Healthy habits at home

Page last updated on: 3/10/25

In this article:

Baby teeth facts

Brushing tips

Healthy habits at home

Chew on some facts about baby teeth:

  • They typically emerge around six to 12 months of age1, and may be uncomfortable for baby
  • They help your child learn to chew food
  • They aid in speaking clearly and language development
  • They create a path for the adult teeth to come in

Since healthy teeth are an important part of overall health, it’s important to take care of them. Start good oral hygiene habits with your child from an early age. Before your baby’s teeth start to come in, you can prepare them for tooth brushing and keep their mouths clean by rubbing a wet washcloth over their gums.

Once the baby teeth come in, begin brushing and flossing:

  • Until age two, brush baby’s teeth with a a dab of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice
  • From ages two to six, use a bit more toothpaste, about the size of a pea
  • Brush and floss at least twice a day for at least two minutes
  • Keep track of brushing time with an alarm, or by singing a song
  • Make sure baby sees the dentist regularly, at least twice per year.
  • Talk to your dentist about any concerns you have for your child’s dental health.
  • Keep the dentist’s information on hand in case of any dental emergencies (like a mouth injury or knocked out tooth).

Brushing may be a two person job at first, but should become easier as baby gets used to the routine.

Remember, it’s important to get baby into the dentist for their first visit shortly after their first teeth come in. This usually happens around your baby’s first birthday. If you haven’t scheduled their first appointment yet, find a dentist today.

Keeping baby’s teeth healthy is a team effort even after they get used to brushing. That’s where the dentist comes in. The dentist cleans baby’s teeth, recommends treatments to prevent cavities and checks for signs of tooth decay.

Healthy habits at home to keep baby’s smile healthy beyond tooth brushing

    • Make sure that thumb sucking or pacifier use stops before age four. These can cause crooked teeth, and keep baby’s mouth and speech from developing properly.
    • Provide baby with a well-balanced diet containing fresh fruit and vegetables to help prevent tooth decay.
    • Have your child rinse after eating sticky, acidic or sugary drinks and food, and limit these foods when you can.
    • Avoid putting your child to sleep with anything but water to drink. Juice and milk can quickly cause cavities when not rinsed off teeth.
    • Drink water with fluoride to help prevent cavities.

  • Your baby’s smile is beautiful. By brushing their teeth, adopting healthy habits and seeing the dentist regularly, you can keep it beautiful and healthy for years to come.

  • 1Preventive Dental Care, 0–2 Years Old

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