• The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit a dentist by age 1, or within 6 months of the appearance of the first baby tooth.
• Typically, teething starts around 6 months and continues until 2-3 years of age. Front teeth first, back molars next and the gaps between front and back will fill in with canines. If delayed, do not worry; wait and rest assured that missing baby teeth are rare.
• Before teeth erupt, clean your baby’s mouth and gums with a soft cloth or infant toothbrush. Lying baby back is the best position to be effective. Continue this practice as teeth erupt.
• Once the first tooth arrives, clean your baby's teeth with a toothbrush or a clean wipe, such as clean wipes before baby falls asleep.
• Try to wean baby off of nursing in the middle of the night once solid foods have been started, or try to give your baby a sippy cup of water to clean their teeth after each nursing.
• Avoid the early transmission of cavity-causing bacteria and viruses by limiting the sharing of utensils or cups with your baby.
• Eliminate your baby's "paci" and thumb and finger sucking habits before the age of 2 if possible. Those habits are difficult to forget and can cause malformation of the bite!
• Once your baby is walking, protect him or her from having injury and trauma to the mouth and teeth by placing barriers on sharp corners and hard surfaces.