Child Dental Health Timeline

Babies' First Teeth (4-24 Months)

Even before they have teeth, infants should have their gums cleaned. Use a gauze pad or an infant washcloth after feedings and before bedtime. Start brushing your baby’s teeth with water when the first one appears (usually between 4 months and 1 year). Ideally, your child’s initial dental visit should occur between the eruption of their first tooth and their first birthday, although cooperation usually isn’t easily achieved until age 3 or 4. Never allow a baby or toddler to fall asleep with a bottle that contains milk, formula, fruit juices, sweetened liquids or a pacifier dipped in sugar or honey. Substitute water if a bottle is necessary. Teach your child to use a cup at about 6 months of age. By the age of one, the bottle can be eliminated.

Small Children Learning to Brush (2-4 years)

At around age 2, begin using a pea—sized amount of children’s fluoride toothpaste and teach them to spit out excess paste so they don’t swallow it. At around age 3, your child should be learning to brush using a small circular brushing motion. However, make sure you brush for them afterward to ensure their teeth and gums are properly cleaned. By the time your child is age 3, he or she should have a complete set of primary (baby) teeth.

More Independent Brushers (5-7 years)

While your child is becoming more independent, brushing still needs supervision to create a consistent routine. Encourage your child to brush at least twice a day for 2 minutes, concentrating on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where cavities often develop first. At around age 6-7, sealants should be placed on the newly erupted permanent molars. This plastic material bonds into the pits and grooves of the chewing surface of posterior (back) teeth to create a barrier against decay-causing bacteria Every child should receive an orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7. Yearly examination and treatment may prevent or reduce the severity of malocclusions (or bad bites") in the permanent teeth.

Pre-teens with Primary and Permanent Teeth (8-12 years)

The process of replacing primary teeth with permanent teeth can create challenges for your child such as tender gums, gaps, and tight spaces. Frequent parental reinforcement is critical to ensure that your child is brushing thoroughly. At age 12 or 13, your child will have 28 of their 32 permanent teeth. Sealants should be placed on the newly erupted second permanent molars. This is also the time period when orthodontic treatment is typically started.

Teenagers and Young Adults (13-21 years)

At age 17-21, the health and positioning of wisdom teeth (a.k.a. third molars) should be evaluated by your dentist. If the teeth are decayed or insufficient space exists for proper eruption, extraction by an oral surgeon will be indicated.

Dietary Recommendations (All Ages)

• Eat a well-balanced diet characterized by moderation and variety.
• Always keep your mouth moist by drinking lots of water. Saliva protects both hard and soft oral tissues.
• When you eat carbohydrates, such as crackers, cookies, chips, eat them as part of your meal, instead of by themselves. Combinations of foods neutralize acids in the mouth and inhibit tooth decay.
• Foods that cling to your teeth promote tooth decay, so when you snack, avoid soft, sweet, sticky foods, such as cakes and candy. Instead, choose dentally healthy foods such as nuts, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese or sugarless gum.
• Limit or avoid soda consumption. Diet or "sugar-free" soda has high mid content while “regular” soda has both high sugar and acid content.