Parents can practice good oral hygiene even before their baby’s first tooth comes in.

Before the teeth come in: Run a damp washcloth over baby’s gums following feedings to prevent a buildup of harmful bacteria.

Once that first tooth pokes through: Brush it with a soft infant toothbrush or a piece of clean gauze before the baby goes to bed at night. Use water without toothpaste.

Age 1: The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children visit a dentist by their first birthday. Consider a pediatric dentist who specializes in treating kids.

Age 2: Using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, help your child while brushing. Make sure the child spits the toothpaste out instead of swallowing. Brush twice a day.

Age 2-1/2: Most children have all of their primary teeth. The dentist may start with topical fluoride treatments to prevent cavities.

As your child grows, continue with regular dental checkups every six months (or more or less frequently, depending on the dentist’s recommendations). Limit your child’s intake of sugary foods. Make sure your child brushes daily.

Good oral habits will pay off throughout your child’s life.

For helpful tips from a professional, read Make teeth brushing fun.

Most kids have 20 baby teeth. All of these primary teeth have to come out to make room for the permanent teeth.

The age at which a child begins losing teeth varies significantly - your child’s teeth may begin falling out sooner or later - but generally parents can expect the following:

5 to 7 years of age - the central incisors (the first baby teeth to come in) are the first to go
7 to 9 years of age - the lateral incisors are lost
10 to 12 years of age - the canines, first molars, and second molars come out

These are average ages, but parents who are concerned about whether their child is losing teeth too early or not soon enough should consult their dentist.

One mother shares her kid’s baby teeth story at Kids’ genetic heritage is fascinating - The tooth fairy’s second wave: What my son didn’t inherit from me. 

Is your baby teething? Sometimes it’s hard to tell. Perhaps your baby is drooling more than usual or waking up frequently at night. Some teething babies have runny noses, loose bowel movements, or diaper rash. The teething process takes about two years, but it’s the first few teeth that are the toughest.

If teething symptoms are making your baby miserable, consider these tips to ease the discomfort:

• Give the baby something to chomp on like a cold, damp washcloth or a chilled teething ring. Offer cool water, too.
• Massage the gums gently but firmly with the soft pad of your clean finger.
• Consider giving medication. Ask your pediatrician about pain relievers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or topical gels.
• Keep the baby’s mind off the pain - distract the baby with a walk outside or a favorite toy.
• Offer extra attention. Hugs, kisses, and snuggles from Mom always help.

To learn more about baby teeth, read How to soothe teething pain and Eight signs that your baby might be teething.