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Everything parents need to know about protecting their baby's oral health from birth through the toddler years.
About the treatment
Baby dental health covers the full spectrum of oral care from the moment your child is born until around age three, when all 20 primary teeth have typically emerged. While many parents assume dental care starts when teeth become visible, the truth is that oral health begins at birth. A newborn's gums, tongue, and palate all require attention, and the habits you establish in these early months set the trajectory for your child's dental future. The first baby tooth usually appears around six months of age, though the normal range extends from four to twelve months. Lower central incisors tend to arrive first, followed by the upper front teeth and then the molars and canines over the next two years. Each stage of eruption brings its own challenges, from teething discomfort and sleep disruption to the risk of early childhood caries, commonly known as baby bottle tooth decay. This form of decay can progress rapidly in young children because baby tooth enamel is thinner and softer than adult enamel. Prevention is the cornerstone of infant oral care. Simple daily practices, such as wiping gums after feeds, introducing a soft toothbrush at the first tooth, and avoiding sugary liquids in bottles at bedtime, can dramatically reduce the risk of decay. Equally important is an early relationship with a pediatric dentist. The first dental visit, ideally by your baby's first birthday, is not about treatment; it is an opportunity for the dentist to check development, identify any concerns, and equip parents with personalised guidance. På BestDent, our pediatric team understands the anxieties new parents face. We provide a calm, supportive environment where you can ask questions about teething remedies, fluoride safety, dummy habits, and feeding practices. Our aim is to give you the confidence and knowledge to protect your baby's smile from the very start, so that their first experience of dentistry is a positive one that carries through childhood and beyond.
We can make your smile look great
Everything parents need to know about protecting their baby's oral health from birth through the toddler years.
Keep your teeth healthy
Ideally, oral health education begins before your baby is born. We advise expectant parents on how maternal oral health affects the baby, and we explain the simple steps to take from day one, such as gently wiping gums with a clean, damp cloth after each feed. This removes milk residue and bacteria before any teeth have even appeared.
The benefits of our dental treatments
- Prevents early childhood caries, the most common chronic disease in young children worldwide
- Establishes healthy oral hygiene habits from the earliest possible age
- Identifies developmental concerns such as tongue-tie, enamel defects, or delayed eruption early
- Provides parents with personalised, evidence-based guidance on feeding, fluoride, and oral care
- Reduces the likelihood of painful dental emergencies during infancy and toddlerhood
- Creates a positive first dental experience that shapes your child's attitude toward dentistry for life
- Supports healthy jaw and palate development through early habit assessment
- Minimises future orthodontic and restorative treatment needs through timely preventive care
- Offers teething management strategies that are safe and effective
- Gives parents peace of mind knowing a specialist is monitoring their baby's oral development
Vem är det för?
- Parents and caregivers of newborns from birth onwards
- Families of babies aged 4-12 months who are teething for the first time
- Parents concerned about baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries
- Babies and toddlers due for their first dental check-up by age 1
- Parents seeking guidance on when and how to start brushing
- Families of toddlers with prolonged dummy or thumb-sucking habits
- Parents of babies with visible white spots or discolouration on teeth
- Caregivers looking for evidence-based advice on fluoride and toothpaste use
- Parents of premature babies or those with developmental concerns affecting oral health
- International families relocating to Turkiet who need continuity of infant dental care
Behandlingsprocess
Prenatal and Newborn Oral Care Guidance
Ideally, oral health education begins before your baby is born. We advise expectant parents on how maternal oral health affects the baby, and we explain the simple steps to take from day one, such as gently wiping gums with a clean, damp cloth after each feed. This removes milk residue and bacteria before any teeth have even appeared.
First Dental Visit (By Age 1)
Your baby's first appointment is a gentle, low-pressure introduction to the dental environment. The dentist examines the gums, any erupted teeth, the palate, and the frenulum (the tissue connecting the lip and tongue). We check for early signs of decay, enamel defects, or tongue-tie. Parents receive tailored advice on brushing, fluoride, and feeding habits.
Teething bedömning and Support
Teething can cause significant discomfort including swollen gums, drooling, irritability, and disrupted sleep. During routine visits we assess teething progress and provide parents with safe, evidence-based strategies for relief, such as chilled teething rings and gum massage. We also clarify which popular remedies to avoid, including amber necklaces and topical anaesthetic gels containing benzocaine.
Introduction of Brushing Routine
As soon as the first tooth appears, we demonstrate how to brush using an age-appropriate soft-bristled toothbrush and a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. We show parents the correct technique, explain why fluoride is important even at this stage, and provide practical tips for making brushing a positive part of the daily routine rather than a battle.
Dietary and Feeding Counselling
What your baby eats and drinks, and when, has a direct impact on dental health. We discuss the risks of prolonged bottle use, nighttime feeds with milk or juice, and early introduction of sugary foods. Parents receive clear, actionable advice on snack choices, sippy cup transition timing, and how to balance nutrition with cavity prevention.
Preventive Fluoride Application
From around age two, or earlier if the dentist identifies elevated risk, a thin layer of professional fluoride varnish can be applied to your baby's teeth. This quick and painless treatment takes less than a minute, strengthens developing enamel, and has been shown to reduce decay by up to 43 percent in primary teeth.
Habit bedömning and Early Intervention
Prolonged dummy use, thumb-sucking, and mouth breathing can all affect tooth alignment and palate shape. During each visit we assess these habits and, when necessary, provide age-appropriate guidance to help your child transition away from them before any lasting changes occur. Early intervention is far simpler and more effective than correcting structural changes later.
Ongoing Monitoring and Recall Schedule
We establish a personalised recall schedule, typically every six months, to track eruption patterns, monitor oral hygiene, and reapply fluoride as needed. Each visit builds familiarity and trust, ensuring that by the time your child is a toddler, the dental clinic feels like a normal, even enjoyable, part of their routine.
Vanliga Frågor
When does the first baby tooth usually come through?
Most babies get their first tooth around six months, though anywhere from four to twelve months is considered normal. The lower central incisors are typically the first to appear, followed by the upper front teeth. If no teeth have emerged by 18 months, consult a pediatric dentist to rule out any developmental concerns.
How do I clean my newborn's mouth before any teeth appear?
After each feed, gently wipe your baby's gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or soft cloth wrapped around your finger. This removes milk residue and bacteria, and it also gets your baby accustomed to having their mouth touched, which makes the transition to a toothbrush much easier later.
What are the signs of teething and how can I help?
Common signs include swollen or red gums, increased drooling, irritability, a desire to chew on objects, and sometimes a mild low-grade temperature. Safe relief strategies include offering a chilled (not frozen) teething ring, gently massaging the gums with a clean finger, and using infant paracetamol if recommended by your paediatrician.
Is fluoride toothpaste safe for babies?
Yes. Dental authorities worldwide recommend using a smear of fluoride toothpaste (1000 ppm) from the first tooth. The amount is so small that even if swallowed it poses no risk. Fluoride strengthens enamel as teeth develop and is one of the most effective tools against early decay.
What is baby bottle tooth decay and how do I prevent it?
Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when sugary liquids such as milk, formula, or juice pool around a baby's teeth for extended periods, typically during naps or overnight feeds. To prevent it, never put your baby to bed with a bottle containing anything other than water, avoid dipping dummies in honey or sugar, and begin cleaning teeth as soon as they appear.
When should I stop using a dummy or bottle?
Most dentists recommend weaning off the dummy by age two to avoid affecting tooth alignment and palate shape. Bottle use should transition to a sippy cup or open cup around 12 months. Prolonged use of either beyond these ages increases the risk of an open bite or other orthodontic issues.
My baby has a white spot on their tooth. Should I be worried?
White spots on baby teeth can be an early sign of demineralisation, which is the first stage of tooth decay. If caught early, this process can often be reversed with improved brushing, dietary changes, and professional fluoride application. Schedule a dental visit promptly so the dentist can assess and advise.
Can breastfeeding cause tooth decay?
Breast milk alone is not a major cause of decay, but prolonged or frequent nighttime breastfeeding after teeth have erupted can contribute to it, particularly if oral hygiene is not maintained. The key is to clean your baby's teeth after feeds, especially before sleep, regardless of whether they are breast or bottle fed.
How often should my baby see the dentist?
After the initial visit by age one, most babies benefit from check-ups every six months. However, if your dentist identifies a higher risk of decay or a developmental concern, they may recommend more frequent visits. Regular appointments allow small issues to be caught early and keep your baby comfortable with the dental environment.
What should I do if my baby falls and hits their teeth?
Stay calm and gently clean the area with water. Apply light pressure with gauze if there is bleeding. Check whether any teeth are loose, chipped, or pushed out of position. Even if everything looks fine, visit a pediatric dentist within 24 hours because damage to the underlying permanent tooth buds is not always visible.
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