Caring for your child is an incredible responsibility, and their teeth are no exception. Baby teeth, commonly known as milk teeth, although not permanent, are crucial for your baby’s development and are important in early childhood.

Baby teeth: purpose and function

Baby teeth enable your little one to speak, chew, and smile. Baby teeth also play the role of placeholder for the permanent teeth. If that weren’t enough, they help your child’s mouth and jaw muscles to develop properly which is crucial for clear speech. Taking care of these is an important part of early oral health care.

When do baby teeth come in? Do all babies have their first teeth at the same time? 

Certainly not—a large range of factors, including birth size and genetics, determines the age of eruption. Teething is when the first teeth come through your baby's gums. Teeth actually start developing while your baby is in your womb when tooth buds form in the gums. Teeth break through, one at a time over a period of months. 

  • First the bottom two middle teeth, then the top two middle ones, and then the ones along the sides and back appear.

  • They may not all come in straight, but don't worry — they usually straighten out over time.

  • The last teeth to appear (the second molars, found in the very back of the mouth on the top and bottom) have usually begun coming into place by your baby's second birthday. 

  • By the age of 3, your child should have a full set of 20 baby teeth, which shouldn't fall out until his/her permanent teeth are ready to start coming in, around the age of 6.

If your child’s teeth don’t erupt in this order, don’t be alarmed; it’s not uncommon to see the upper teeth first.

The symptoms of teething are easy to identify:

  • Increased drooling (the flow of saliva outside your baby’s mouth)

  • Lower sleep quality

  • Refusing food

  • General fussiness

  • Hands in the mouth. This is your child dealing with the discomfort of teeth pushing through their gum line. 

Teething remedies or tips for soothing teething (including what to avoid)

1. Massaging your baby’s gums with your hands can bring immediate relief. Be sure to clean your hands first! You can use a soft cloth, a gauze, or a finger brush. 

  • Teething gels carry serious risks like allergic reactions, seizures, and blood disorders.

  • Numbing creams are also poor choices. Talk to your paediatrician before using a gel or a cream.

2. Give your child something to chew on. A firm rubber teething ring or a cold washcloth are good options. If your baby is old enough to eat solids, he/she may also get some relief from cold foods such as applesauce or yogurt. 

3. Wipe your baby’s drool softly. If the drool causes a rash on your baby's face, wipe the skin softly, and apply smooth petroleum jelly on your baby's chin at bedtime, to protect the skin from further irritation.

Caring for your baby’s milk teeth at home 

You don’t need to be intimidated by the world of dental/oral care for babies and children. In fact, you get to be your child’s first introduction and example in caring for their mouth! Tips to follow and avoid when it comes to your baby’s oral care include:

What to do

  • Start cleaning your baby’s mouth even before the teeth have erupted, when the baby is about 3 months old.

  • To clean your baby’s mouth, wrap a gauze or a cloth around your finger and dip it in warm water. Clean your baby’s tongue in circular motions, next, softly rub your finger over the baby’s gums and on the inside of the cheeks too.  

  • Use a finger brush when the first set of teeth starts to erupt. A finger brush/toothbrush is finger-shaped and has soft blisters at the top, which are worn on the fingers in order to help the baby brush. Make sure to clean the finger brush after every use.

  • Move on from a finger brush to a toothbrush when your baby is about 1 year old. A lot of parents are often confused about which toothpaste to use. For kids below the age of  2 years, skip using toothpaste altogether. 

  • If you are deciding to use a toothpaste for kids from 0 to 3 years, use one that does not have fluoride in it. Fluoride, a mineral naturally found in our teeth and commonly found in soils and rocks, is often added to toothpaste, because of its benefits to the tooth enamel and of the role it plays in preventing cavities. 

  • Once your baby learns how to spit (after 2-3 years of age), a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste can be used for brushing. 

  • Brush any erupted teeth, twice a day preferably in the morning and at night, before sleep.

  • Brush gently and target the gums. It’ll be easier on the teeth and the child to use gentle brushing motions at a 45-degree angle to the gums.

  • Breastfeed (feeding of babies and young children with milk from a woman's breast) if possible. Breast milk contains antibodies that help fight back against harmful bacteria in your baby’s mouth and prevent tooth decay at an early age. 

What not to do

  • Do not do it all for them. Teach your child how to brush properly as soon as they’re about 3 years of age. You’re helping them form lifelong habits.

  • Force a toothbrush in your child’s mouth. Make tooth brushing fun and interactive.

  • Refer to your child’s dentist as a threat. If you treat children to dread their dentist or oral hygiene, they’ll avoid brushing, flossing (a dental technique in which a thin cord is used to clean food particles or plaque between your teeth), and checkups.

  • Allow your baby to sleep with his/her bottle in the mouth that is filled with milk or sweet liquids. This is to prevent a condition called baby bottle tooth decay, also known as infant caries, or early childhood caries. It is the decay of your child’s baby teeth. The IDA (Indian Dental Association) suggests that you don’t allow your child to go to sleep with a bottle or pacifier. This can lead to a buildup of plaque and cause baby bottle tooth decay (infantile caries).

Caring for baby’s teeth at the dentist

Regular visits to your child’s dentist should start around six months, or whenever the first tooth erupts. Make sure your child visits the dentist by his/her first birthday.

Dentists can get an idea of whether your child’s teeth are developing correctly and guide the early development of the lower and upper jaw, as well as the bite. This can save your child from developing dental problems and also save time and money.

At the first dental visit of your baby, an examination can be done to be sure of the mouth tissue, bite, and eruptions. 

Key Takeaways

While baby teeth may seem small and unimportant, caring for them properly can prepare your child for healthy dental habits in the future. Early dental intervention is the key, and great oral hygiene begins at home. 


Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.