Your baby’s milk teeth

That first tooth cutting through is a big milestone in your baby’s first year and she’ll look adorable with that gummy smile punctuated by two pearly white little milk teeth. So when can you expect to see it grow and how should you take care of it and your baby’s other milk teeth as they develop? Here gurgle answers your questions…

When will my baby get her first tooth?

In fact some babies are born with their first tooth but this is the exception rather than the rule – it occurs in just one in about 2,000 babies. For most babies, first teeth start cutting through at between four and seven months (the first signs you will see of this happening are at around four months, when you may notice your baby drooling more than usual). Typically, baby girls get their teeth earlier and the bottom two front teeth cut through your baby’s gums first, usually by seven months, although some babies don’t grow it until they are over a year old. You may be able to feel their hard edges just under the surface of the gum for some time before you see them. Then the top front teeth appear, followed by the side and then the back teeth.

As well as drooling, your baby may show other symptoms of teething. Her gums may look inflamed and her cheek may look red. She may be cranky and start waking at night having previously slept through. You may see her chewing on her toys more than usual. Some parents report their baby vomiting or having diarrhea when they are teething, but it shouldn’t cause illness, so if your baby is sick get her checked out by your pediatrician.

How can I ease my baby’s teething pain?

Pressure on the gums relieves the discomfort of teething, so you can try rubbing your baby’s gums using a clean finger or a moistened gauze pad. A teething ring cooled in the refrigerator is idea, alternately, give your baby a chilled damp washcloth to chew on. If your baby is already weaned, cool foods, such as applesauce or yogurt, may help. If your baby is very irritable and she and you are having disturbed nights, speak to your pediatrician about giving her pain-relieving medications such as acetaminophen. If your mom tells you to rub whiskey on your baby’s gums don’t – this may have been a folk remedy back in the day, but it is highly dangerous

Do I need to brush my baby’s milk teeth?

Yes you do – just because they are destined to fall out some day doesn’t mean you don’t need to take care of them. The health and position of your baby’s eventual permanent teeth depend on her milk teeth staying in situ and not decaying. If she develops cavities in her teeth and they need to be removed, her permanent teeth could grow in crooked.

Ideally, you should start caring for your baby’s teeth even before they cut through, by gently rubbing her gums clean twice a day with a moistened gauze pad or washcloth to help prevent bacteria from settling on her gums. As soon as her first tooth cuts through, switch to using a soft baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of baby toothpaste. Don’t use adult toothpaste – it froths up too much and the fact your baby can’t spit means she will swallow it. It also contains high levels of fluoride, which, while essential to protect your teeth from decay, could cause your baby’s teeth to become discolored. As soon as your child has teeth next to each other, use a flosser to clean in between them.

Does my baby need to see a dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends you schedule your child’s first visit to the dentist before she reaches the age of 12 months.

How can I protect my baby’s milk teeth from decay?

Tooth decay is the single most common childhood disease in the US but it’s preventable. Brushing your baby’s teeth twice daily is vital and although she’ll likely want to try it for herself once she’s around three you should continue to do the main brushing until she’s five and then supervise closely while she does it herself. Follow these tips too:

Limit your child’s intake of sweets and sugary foods – try to encourage savory or fresh fruit snacks instead.?
If your child has had something sugary to eat and you won’t be able to brush her teeth for a while encourage her to swish some water around her mouth and spit it out (or dribble it out!).
Restrict sweet foods and candy to the end of a meal instead of between meals.
Always dilute fruit juice with water before giving it to your child, as undiluted juice can cause decay.
Don’t let your child drink sweetened juice or soda from a bottle, as this will constantly bathe her teeth in sugar. Serving juice in an open beaker and don’t allow your child to ‘graze’ from it.
Eating cheese at the end of a meal can help neutralize the acid that causes tooth decay. If you’re having a picnic lunch, pack some cheese.
Your baby needs plenty of calcium and vitamin D for healthy adult teeth – these can be found in dairy foods and fatty fish. If your baby is lactose-intolerant your pediatrician or a dietitian can advise on other sources of calcium.

When will my baby’s milk teeth fall out?

Your child will begin losing her milk teeth at around five years of age, and just as they tend to grow through earlier in girls, girls tend to lose them first. They generally are lost in the order in which they cut through: the tow bottom front teeth first and so on.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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Last Modified: 11/10/2009

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