Teaching your child good oral hygiene habits early can lead to a lifelong healthy smile, but did you know that just because babies don’t have any visible teeth, doesn’t mean they can’t get cavities?
A baby’s 20 primary teeth are already present in the jaws at birth. And those baby teeth that begin coming through the gums around 6 months help set the stage for future smiles by keeping space in the jaw for adult teeth.
Baby teeth matter
When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when they come in. This can make teeth crooked or crowded. That’s why starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come.
The ADA recommends that parents take children to a dentist no later than their first birthday and then at intervals recommended by their dentist.
To learn more, visit our other Babies and Kids pages on MouthHealthy.org
Healthy Habits
Concerns unique to children
Nutrition tips
Want to test your knowledge of kids’ dental health? Then take our Fact or Fiction Quiz. It's all about being Mouth Healthy for Life
this article first appeared in mouthhealth.org
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