Baby teeth are often dismissed as temporary and therefore unimportant. This is a mistake. Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, are essential for speech development, enable proper chewing and nutrition, and problems in baby teeth can affect the developing permanent teeth underneath. Dental care begins before the first tooth appears.
Before the First Tooth
From birth, clean your baby's gums after feeding with a clean, damp muslin cloth or soft gauze. This removes milk residue and bacteria and establishes the habit of mouth cleaning. It also makes the transition to toothbrushing smoother when teeth arrive.
When the First Tooth Appears
The first tooth typically appears between 4 and 7 months, usually a lower central incisor. As soon as it appears, begin brushing with a soft infant toothbrush (age-appropriate silicone finger brush for babies under 12 months) and a grain-of-rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Yes, fluoride — current international paediatric dental guidance recommends fluoride toothpaste from the first tooth.
How to Brush Baby Teeth
Make it a non-negotiable twice-daily routine from the start — after breakfast and at bedtime. Evening brushing is the most important (food debris sits on teeth overnight otherwise). Position your baby in your lap with their head supported. Use gentle circular motions on all surfaces of each tooth. Keep it brief and positive.
The Night Feed and Tooth Decay
Night feeding — breastfeeding or bottle feeding — leaves milk on teeth overnight. Breastmilk contains natural antimicrobial properties but prolonged frequent night feeds after teeth appear do increase cavity risk. If your toddler still has night milk feeds after 12 months, try to brush teeth after the last feed or at minimum rinse the mouth with water. Bottle feeding to sleep is a significant cavity risk — the milk pools around the upper front teeth.
First Dentist Visit
The Indian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth eruption. Many Indian parents skip this, thinking there is nothing to examine yet. But early dental visits identify risks, establish a relationship with the dentist before any pain or anxiety, and give parents guidance on oral health, diet, and pacifier use.