Your baby’s first tooth is a big moment. It’s also the start of a dental care routine that shapes their oral health for years ahead. Many parents aren’t sure when to begin, which products to choose, or how to make it all feel manageable. This guide from Cliftonville Dental in Northampton gives you straightforward, practical answers.
When Do Baby Teeth Appear?
Most babies get their first tooth between four and ten months, though it can arrive a little earlier or later without any cause for concern. The lower front teeth (central incisors) usually come first. By around age three, most children have their full set of twenty baby teeth.
Baby teeth matter more than many parents realise. They help children chew properly, support clear speech, and hold space in the jaw for the adult teeth that follow. Decay in baby teeth isn’t just painful — it can affect the adult teeth developing beneath and cause early tooth loss that disrupts spacing later on.
How to Clean Baby Teeth
Start cleaning before the first tooth arrives. Use a clean, damp muslin cloth or a soft silicone finger brush to wipe the gums once or twice a day, especially after feeding. This gets your baby used to the sensation and builds the habit early.
Once the first tooth appears, switch to a soft-bristled baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of toothpaste. When choosing a toothpaste, look for one that includes fluoride — many dental professionals recommend it for protecting developing enamel against decay. If you have any questions about which toothpaste is right for your child, your dentist can guide you based on your child’s individual needs.
Brush twice a day: once in the morning and once before bed. After the bedtime brush, only water should be given. Increase to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste from age three.
Teething
Teething typically begins around six months and continues until around age three. Common signs include red or swollen gums where a tooth is coming through, flushed cheeks, drooling, and a strong urge to chew.
A clean, chilled teething ring can help soothe sore gums. Teething gels offer temporary relief for some babies. For more significant discomfort, paracetamol or ibuprofen suspension in the correct dose for your child’s age and weight can be used.
Teething should not cause fever, diarrhoea, or significant illness. If your baby develops these symptoms, see a healthcare professional rather than putting it down to teething.
Diet and Dental Health
Diet has a direct impact on your baby’s teeth. Sugary drinks — including fruit juice and squash — should not be given to babies and should be very limited for toddlers. The best drinks for young children are breast milk, formula, and plain water.
Giving sugary drinks in a bottle or sippy cup, particularly at bedtime or during the night, exposes teeth to sugar for long periods. This is closely linked to early childhood tooth decay, sometimes called baby bottle tooth decay.
When introducing solids, avoid adding sugar to homemade foods and choose lower-sugar options where possible. A varied diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit, dairy, and protein supports both general health and healthy teeth.
When to Register with a Dentist
Bring your child to the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears, or by their first birthday at the latest. Early visits are an important part of preventative care. NHS dental treatment is free for children, and registering early means your child has access to support from the start. For more on what to expect, read our guide on your child’s first dental visit at Cliftonville Dental.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?
As soon as the first tooth appears. Use a tiny smear of toothpaste and a soft baby toothbrush.
Does my baby need fluoride toothpaste?
Many dentists recommend fluoride toothpaste because it helps protect developing enamel against decay. If you’re unsure which toothpaste to use, speak to your dentist — they can advise based on your child’s needs.
My toddler swallows toothpaste. Is this dangerous?
Swallowing a small amount occasionally is not a cause for alarm. Use only a pea-sized amount and encourage spitting from as early an age as your child can manage.
Are dummies bad for teeth?
Prolonged use beyond around two to three years can affect the jaw shape and how teeth come together. Encouraging children to stop before that age is a good idea.
Do I need to worry about baby tooth decay if the teeth fall out anyway?
Yes. Decay in baby teeth causes pain and can affect eating, sleeping, and speech. It can also damage the adult teeth developing beneath them and lead to early tooth loss that disrupts adult tooth spacing.
Book an Appointment at Cliftonville Dental, Northampton
Our team at Cliftonville Dental loves helping young patients build a positive relationship with dental care from day one. Get in touch to register your child and book their first appointment.
You may also be interested in: children’s dentist.
Written by Dr Anesh Patel
Dentist, B.D.S. M.F.G.D.P. (UK)
Co-owner of Cliftonville Dental, Dr Anesh Patel qualified from Kings College London in 1999 and has practised in Northampton ever since, with a special interest in cosmetic and implant dentistry.
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