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Your baby’s first teeth usually appear between six and ten months of age. When your child is two to three years of age, they will have all 20 baby teeth. For information, visit the Ontario Dental Association’s tips for kids.
Baby teeth are important. They help your child eat and speak. Most children have some baby teeth until they are 12 years old.
Tips for healthy teeth:
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Wipe baby’s gums.
- Before your baby’s teeth come in, wipe their gums daily using a clean, damp cloth.
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Brush your child’s teeth two times a day.
- When teeth appear, brush your child's teeth two times a day, for two minutes each time. Use a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children three years of age and older. For children under three years of age, ask your dental professional about using a fluoride toothpaste. They may recommend using a small amount of fluoride toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) if the child is at higher risk for tooth decay.
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Lift the upper lip. Look for white or brown spots on your child’s teeth.
- These spots may be the first signs of a cavity. If you see these spots, take your child to the dentist. Watch the Lift the Lip video to see an example of how to do it.
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Prevent the spread of dental disease.
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Avoid drinks with lots of sugar.
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Visit the dentist.
- Take your child for their first visit to the dentist by age one, and visit the dentist regularly. Talk to your dentist about preventive care and fluoride treatments. There are programs available to help with the cost of dental care.
When should I take my child for their first visit to the dentist?
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The Canadian Dental Association recommends you should take your child for their first visit to the dentist by age one, or within six months of their first tooth coming in.
Your child may qualify for the Canada Dental Benefit or Healthy Smiles Ontario.
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What can I do if my child doesn’t want their teeth brushed?
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Young children are not able to clean their teeth on their own - they need an adult's help until they are about eight years old.
Tips to make brushing teeth easier:
- Show them how to brush by brushing your teeth as an example.
- Make brushing a routine – brush your child’s teeth two times a day. Brushing at bedtime is important.
- Make brushing fun. Sing, tell stories, or listen to music during brushing.
- Practice brushing. Let children have a turn brushing so they can build their brushing skills.
Visit the Canadian Dental Association website for more tips on how to clean your child’s teeth.
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How can I soothe and calm my teething baby?
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Teething babies may have sore or red gums.
To help soothe your baby when teething:
- Massage their gums with a clean, wet cloth that has been chilled in the refrigerator.
- Offer your baby a teething ring. Babies massage their own gums by chewing on hard, smooth objects.
Avoid giving your baby:
- Hard foods like raw carrots that could cause them to choke.
- Sweet foods and teething biscuits that could cause tooth decay.
- Over-the-counter teething gels, unless advised by a doctor.
Getting new teeth does not make babies sick or give them a fever. If your baby has a fever, contact your health care provider.
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Visit the Ontario Dental Association tips on looking after your baby’s teeth.
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- Routine dental care is safe during pregnancy. Schedule a check-up in your first trimester. Tell your dentist that you are pregnant. If you need any other treatment, the best time to do this is during the second trimester (fourth to sixth month of pregnancy).
- Put off routine x-rays until after your baby is born. If your dentist feels that x-rays are necessary for your treatment, they will provide a leaded apron which will protect you and your baby.
- If you have a dental emergency, see your dentist right away.
- Brushing and flossing are important during pregnancy. Brush your teeth two times a day, for at least two minutes each time, using a fluoride toothpaste. Floss every day.
Visit Health Canada’s website for information on oral health and pregnancy.
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