Teething and Baby Teeth — Advice from Our Children’s Dental Team

Teething and baby teeth are among the first oral health challenges every parent faces, yet many families are unsure what to expect or when to act. According to Health Canada’s guidance on oral health for children, baby teeth begin to appear at around six months of age, and all 20 primary teeth should be through by the time a child is two or three years old. Understanding this timeline, and knowing how to care for those first teeth, makes a real difference to your child’s long-term dental health.

At By The Lake Dental Kids, our dentists and kids dental team work with parents of babies and toddlers every day, guiding families through each stage of early dental development. Our kids dental team knows that the habits built in these first years shape your child’s relationship with oral health for life. Our dental office in Ajax and Scarborough is here to support you from the very first tooth.

Why baby teeth matter more than many parents think

A common misconception is that baby teeth are less important because they will eventually fall out. But it is important to highlight that some primary teeth remain in the mouth until the age of 12. According to the Canadian Dental Association’s (CDA) guidance on children’s dental development, primary teeth help children chew, speak clearly and hold the space that guides permanent teeth into their correct positions. Losing them too early through decay or injury can affect how adult teeth come through, sometimes requiring orthodontic intervention later on.

Teething symptoms, timeline and how to help your baby

Every child develops at their own pace, but most babies get their first tooth at around six months of age. According to the Ontario Dental Association’s (ODA) tips for baby oral health, all twenty primary teeth usually come in by the time a child is two or three years old, starting with the lower front teeth. Teething can cause discomfort, making babies fussy, drooly and unsettled. To soothe teething pain safely, give your child a cold clean washcloth or a solid rubber teething ring to chew on. Avoid teething biscuits, which contain sugars that stick to new teeth and promote decay. It is also worth knowing that teething does not cause fever. If your baby has a high temperature, consult your doctor.

How to care for your baby’s teeth from day one

Oral care begins before the first tooth even appears. The Oral Health Foundation recommends wiping your baby’s gums with a clean damp cloth after every feeding, establishing a hygiene routine from birth. As soon as the first tooth breaks through, switch to a soft baby toothbrush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste no larger than a grain of rice. Brush morning and night, and always after the last feed of the day. Children are natural imitators, so letting them watch you brush your own teeth is one of the most effective ways to build a lifelong habit.

What you feed your baby affects their teeth

Diet plays a bigger role in early dental health than many parents realise. The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) explains that when children eat or drink sugars, including the natural sugars found in milk, formula and fruit juice, bacteria in the mouth convert those sugars into acid that attacks tooth enamel. Their guidance on nutrition and your child’s teeth notes that putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice is one of the most common causes of early childhood tooth decay, as the liquid coats the teeth throughout the night. Water is the safest drink between meals, and starchy snacks like teething biscuits should be limited as they break down into sugars that linger on the teeth.

Our kids dental team recommends booking your baby’s first dental visit as soon as the first tooth appearing. This is not a response to a problem but a proactive step that allows our kids dental team to assess your child’s risk for tooth decay, guide you on brushing technique and fluoride use, and give your child a positive first experience with dental care.

Starting dental care early is one of the best things you can do for your child’s long-term health. Contact By The Lake Dental Kids, your favourite dental office in Ajax and Scarborough, and book your appointment today.

Why choose By The Lake Dental:

✅ +15 years caring for our community’s oral health needs

✅ A Platinum+ Invisalign dental office

✅ Direct billing to benefit provider

✅ Cutting-edge technology

✅ Full service family care

✅ Concierge experience

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Call us today: Ajax 905-428-2111, Highland Creek 416-284-8282.

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By The Lake Dental is your family’s one-stop dental office for everything your smile needs, including children’s dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, tooth extractions, oral hygiene, dental implants, orthodontics and Invisalign, mouthguards, root canal therapy, tooth restoration, temporomandibular disorder treatment, and more!