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FIRST DENTAL VISIT BY FIRST BIRTHDAY
Click Here for a List of Participating Dentists

4 Steps to Baby Your Baby's Teeth
  • Brush your child's teeth after feeding and at bedtime
  • Prevent tooth decay - don't share foods, forks, spoons, or toothbrushes
       - don't put your baby to bed with a bottle or overuse sippy cups
  • Make sure your child has fluoride in toothpaste, water or from the doctor

  • Feed your child healthy foods like cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, vegetables,
       and milk

            For additional information regarding your child's oral health, please call:

    • Your child's dentist
    or doctor
    Mott Children's Health
    Center, Department of
    Pediatric dentistry
    810 768-7583
    Hamilton Community
    Health Network
    810 789-9141
    Genesee District
    Dental Society
    (810) 237-7580
     


    Baby Teeth are Important for
    Chewing - Speaking - Spacing of Permanent Teeth and Overall Health

    Did You Know?
    1 Month
    Your baby has 20 little teeth growing under the gums. Start good habits now. Clean your baby's gums with a clean, damp washcloth after feeding and at bedtime to wipe away germs and sugar.

    2 Months
    You pass germs on to your baby when you share things like foods, forks, spoons, or toothbrushes. Licking a pacifier or bottle pop covers it with your germs. Letting your baby put fingers into your mouth passes germs too. Don't pass germs to your baby! (Kissing is OK.)

    3 Months
    Sugar is in many foods and drinks including breast milk, formula, baby food, and juice. Putting your baby to bed with a bottle of anything other than water coats the mouth and teeth in sugar. Don't feed tooth decay-Don't put your baby to bed with a bottle-Don't dip pacifiers into sugar or honey!

    4 Months
    Fluoride helps to stop tooth decay. Ask your baby's doctor if your child needs fluoride to help protect teeth. Teething babies may have sore and tender gums. Rub the gums with a clean finger, small cool spoon, or teething ring. Diarrhea and fever may not be a part of teething-call your child's doctor.

    6 Months
    The front teeth come in first. Clean your baby's teeth after feeding at least two times daily with a small, soft toothbrush, pinhead amount of toothpaste, and water. Your dentist or doctor can show you how. Remember, don't pass germs-don't share a toothbrush.

    9 Months
    Begin giving your baby a cup for drinking. Avoid sweet drinks and limit drinking (other than water) between meals. Drinks (other than water) in sippy cups coat the mouth and teeth in sugar, feeding tooth decay. Limit juice to one cup or less a day. Healthy teeth are all one color. If you see any white or brown spots or stains on your child's teeth see a dentist right away.

    1 Year
    Make an appointment for your child to see the dentist. This visit is like a well baby check for your child's baby teeth. Baby teeth continue to come in through age three. Wean your child from the baby bottle if it is still being used.

    15 Months
    Healthy food = Healthy teeth.
    Feed your child snacks low in sugar like cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, and vegetables. Children ages 1-5 need three cups of milk per day.

    18 Months
    Protect your child's teeth from injury. Do not let your child run with anything in the mouth. Prevent injury from falls. Teach your child the right way to use climbing toys. Have your child wear a helmet with riding toys and always buckle up in a safety seat riding in a car.

    2 Years
    Begin using a pea size dab of fluoride toothpaste when brushing your child's teeth. Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste-don't swallow. You will need to help your child brush until they are about age 8. When two teeth touch, you may begin flossing your child's teeth.

    3 to 5 Years
    Continue the good habits you have started for your child's healthy teeth. If your child still uses a pacifier, discourage its use after age 3. Baby teeth begin to loosen around ages 5 or 6. Thanks to you, your child is on the way to a life long bright and healthy smile!

     
      For additional information regarding your child's oral health, please call:
     
    Your child's dentist
    or doctor
    Mott Children's Health
    Center, Department of
    Pediatric dentistry
    810 768-7583
    Hamilton Community
    Health Network
    810 789-9141
    Genesee District
    Dental Society
    (810) 237-7580
    		 
    Tooth decay is an infection. Germ and sugary foods/drinks left in a baby's mouth can eat holes in the teeth called cavities.