Good dental habits start early. Helping your child care for their teeth now sets them up for a healthy, confident smile for life.
Start early
Begin cleaning your baby's gums even before teeth appear, and start brushing with a tiny smear of toothpaste once the first tooth comes in. A child's first dental visit is recommended around their first birthday.
Prevent cavities
Limit sugary snacks and drinks, avoid letting your child sleep with a bottle of milk or juice, and supervise brushing twice a day until they can do it well themselves (usually around age 7).
Make it positive
Talk about the dentist in a friendly, calm way and avoid words like "pain" or "needle." Gentle, child-friendly visits help your child feel safe and build a lifelong comfort with dental care.
Don't ignore milk teeth
Baby teeth matter — they hold space for adult teeth and help with eating and speech. Treat decay early, even in milk teeth, to avoid pain and problems later.