Those pearly whites will start pushing through your baby's gums when she is about four to 12 months old. The full set of baby teeth should come in by the time your toddler is two-and-a-half years old.
Your baby may be teething if she:
Don't give ibuprofen (such as Advil® or Motrin®) to a child younger than six months old.
When those first teeth come in, use a wet washcloth around your finger—or a soft toothbrush—to clean and massage your baby's gums. This will introduce your child to the idea of brushing teeth.
Talk to your dentist or pediatrician about whether to use toothpaste with fluoride.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children should start seeing the dentist between ages one to three years or sooner if there are questions or problems. Visiting the dentist twice a year will prevent problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Your baby's first few trips to the dentist should be fun and enjoyable. When your baby becomes a toddler, your dentist can show her how to brush and floss. Fluoride treatments will also help prevent tooth decay.
Do not let your toddler lie down or go to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. The pooling milk or juice can cause choking, ear infections or tooth decay.
Taking your toddler to the dentist before a problem arises will help make future trips comfortable and not scary.