All of us as parents hope for our children to grow up to be healthy and strong! As our children grow, so do their teeth. There are so many things to factor in when it comes to your child’s oral health and how to help them develop dental habits that will last a lifetime.

Scroll to the bottom of this article to find out how you can win an Oral-B Toothbrush as part of an awesome prize pack!

As children grow and change, their dental habits should as well. Here's what to watch for and how to keep your child's teeth healthy.

Click here for a PDF version of this handy timeline!

0-6 months

Until your baby's first tooth appears gently rub their gums with a clean, damp washcloth or a piece of soft gauze every day after nursing or bottle-feeding.

Watch for: Bottle Caries and Tooth Decay. Tooth decay can begin as soon as teeth erupt. If your child goes to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup, it should only contain water. Liquids such as milk, formula, and juice contain sugar that will accumulate around the teeth or on the gums and create bottle caries (or cavities).

6-12 Months

Once teeth arrive, use a finger brush to clean the teeth. Do not use toothpaste until your child is old enough to spit it out on their own (generally around age 2). If you’re curious about the estimated arrival of your child’s teeth, check out the American Dental Association’s Eruption Chart.

Watch for: Teething. Most infants begin teething by the time they reach 6 months. Signs of teething include gnawing, drooling, biting, sucking and even slight fever. Look for teethers made of solid rubber and avoid liquid-filled teething rings or plastic objects that could break.

1st Birthday

It is recommended that regular dental visits should start no later than you child’s first birthday. Leap Kids Pediatric Dental offers a free Well Baby Check at or around the first birthday order to get you and your child familiar with the dentist. This appointment takes just a few minutes and allows the dentist to check for any signs of decay.  

Does your child have special needs? If your child has special needs, be sure to inform your pediatric dentist and the staff. Most pediatric dentists are specialized in treating children with a variety of needs and levels of anxiety.

Starting routine visits early on and educating your child about what to expect will help make their appointment a success! When scheduling your appointment, be sure to discuss your child’s specific challenges and ease your concerns as the parent beforehand.

1-2 Years

Start brushing with a soft bristled brush and water after every meal and before bedtime. If your child’s teeth have not made an appearance by this age, keep in mind teeth arrive on their own schedule, but be sure to consult with your pediatric dentist.

After your child’s 1-year-old Well Baby Check, your child will likely be schedule for their first exam at about 18 months. From there, routine exams should be scheduled for every six months.

3-5 Years

Most children have all 20 baby teeth by age 3. Your child should be able to brush his or her own teeth with your assistance and supervision. It is important to encourage your child to brush and floss regularly. Brushing to their favorite song is a great way to hit the two-minute mark! 

  • Many, not all, children begin losing baby teeth around the age of 5.
  • It is suggested that children ages 3-5 to use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing fluoride in order to strengthen the tooth enamel.
  • A healthy, balanced diet is important for children of all ages. Just because those baby teeth have made their big debut that does not mean snack time is a free for all. Think cautiously about your child’s diet by giving them foods that are low in added sugar.

6-8 Years

If you referenced the ADA Eruption Chart, you’ll see that the eruption of the first permanent teeth happens around age 6. With the eruption of permanent teeth, it is important that your child see an orthodontist by the age of 7.

Seeing the orthodontist at this age is important in order to make sure your child does not have any oral development issues and has enough room for all the teeth to come. Issues like this are much easier, and less costly, to treat early on with the goal to prevent any larger issues down the road. Westrock Orthodontics offers a free orthodontic evaluation for all new patients.

Giveaway!

Leap Dental and Little Rock Family want to help make dental care easy for your family! So, we're giving away an Oral-B Toothbrush and set of replaceable toothbush heads plus three coloring books and a pack of colored pencils to two lucky winners!

Just click here to enter!