When Do Baby Teeth Come In?

Your child’s first tooth growing is a big moment! It’s also the time when you should bring them to their first Kingstowne pediatric dentist appointment to set the stage for a beautiful and healthy smile.

While not all babies are the same and their first teeth can appear at different ages, for the most part, you can expect to see your baby’s first tooth start growing at around 6 months after their birth.

A Baby’s Tooth Growing Timeline

• 6 months to 12 months - This is when the baby’s first tooth should start growing. By your baby’s 1 year birthday, they will likely already have the 2 front bottom and top teeth
• 12 months to 16 months - At this point, your baby will start growing their incisors, both central and lateral
• 16 months to 23 months - The baby’s canines and nearby molars start growing
• By the time they reach 3 years of age - On your baby’s 3rd birthday, you can usually count on them having all their baby teeth in

What Does a Baby’s Dentist Appointment Look Like?

Parents can have a difficult time wrapping their heads around the image of a baby at the dentist’s office. However, it’s very important to take the infant to a consultation as soon as their first tooth comes in for one simple reason:

As soon as they get one tooth, they have a risk of cavities.

Babies can get cavities just like adults, and as you can imagine, treating a baby cavity is a bit more difficult. But if you’re proactive, you can reduce the risk of cavities tremendously.

The dentist will inspect your baby’s mouth and make sure that the jaw and teeth are developing correctly. They may provide some at-home oral hygiene tips to stay on top of your child’s specific needs, and identify any issues that may need more attention in due time.

How to Care for a Baby’s Oral Health

While the dentist can provide you with advice specific to your baby’s case, some general infant oral health care tips include:

• Gently cleaning the baby’s gums with a moist washcloth after feeding
• Massage the gums to help relieve teething discomfort
• After the first tooth comes in, start brushing it with a gentle toothbrush and no toothpaste
• Be sure to inspect the child’s erupted teeth for cavities
• Bring them to routine dentist appointments

Ready for Your Child’s First Dental Appointment?

Out of all the “firsts” parents look forward to in their children’s lives, a dentist visit usually isn’t one of them. However, we assure you your child’s oral health needs will be greatly taken care of at Kingstowne Dental Specialists.

Courtney Marzban, DMD, and Robert Marzban, DDS, MDS are here to make sure your child’s smile will be perfectly happy and healthy!

To get started, please book an appointment online, or call us directly at (703) 493-0622!