A childs’ tooth development can vary for various reasons, but for the most part, their first tooth or teeth should erupt when they’re around 6-12 months old. At Design Dentistry, we recommend that you bring your child in as soon as you glimpse their first tooth. It’s vital to keep an eye on their tooth growth, so we can prevent future infections and track their oral needs as their complete set of baby teeth begin to develop. Many people don’t realize there are several beneficial reasons for bringing your child to the dentist when they’re young.
Signs Your Baby Is Teething
The arrival of a new tooth often comes with some discomfort. Common teething signs include:
- Increased drooling
- Swollen or tender gums
- Fussiness or irritability
- Gnawing or chewing on objects
- Disrupted sleep
- Pulling at the ear on the same side as the erupting tooth
To soothe teething pain, try gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger, offering a chilled (not frozen) teething ring, or using a cool damp cloth. Always consult your pediatrician before using any teething gels or medications.
How to Clean Your Baby’s First Tooth
As soon as that first tooth appears, it’s time to start cleaning it. Here’s how:
Before teeth arrive: Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, soft, damp cloth after feedings to reduce bacterial buildup.
Once the first tooth erupts: Use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste — about the size of a grain of rice — twice a day.
From age 3 onward: Increase toothpaste to a pea-sized amount. Begin teaching your child to brush independently, while continuing to supervise until around age 7–8 when they develop the dexterity to do it effectively on their own.
Avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice. Prolonged exposure to sugary liquids is one of the leading causes of early childhood cavities (ECC) — a condition that affects far more children than most parents realize.
When Should You Visit the Dentist?
The American Dental Association (ADA) and the Canadian Dental Association both recommend scheduling your child’s first dental visit within six months of the first tooth erupting, or by their first birthday — whichever comes first.
Many parents are surprised by this recommendation, assuming a checkup isn’t necessary until more teeth appear. In reality, that early visit is invaluable. Your dentist at Design Dentistry will:
- Examine the erupting teeth and gums for signs of decay or abnormal development
- Assess bite alignment and jaw growth
- Provide personalized guidance on cleaning technique, diet, and fluoride use
- Create a positive, fear-free relationship with dental care from the very start
Research shows that children who visit the dentist early and regularly are less likely to develop cavities and significantly less likely to develop dental anxiety as they grow up.
What If Teeth Are Delayed?
A variation of one or two months from the average is completely normal. However, if your child hasn’t seen their first tooth by 12 to 18 months, or if you notice swelling, abnormal discoloration of the gums, or teeth coming in drastically out of order, it’s worth consulting your dentist.
Delayed tooth eruption can sometimes be linked to genetics (if you were a late teether, your child may be too), nutritional deficiencies, premature birth, or in rare cases, underlying medical conditions. An X-ray can quickly confirm whether teeth are developing normally beneath the gumline.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Beyond delayed eruption, keep an eye out for:
- White or brown spots on teeth — Early signs of decay, even in infants
- Swollen, red, or bleeding gums — May indicate infection or gum disease
- Teeth coming in crooked or overlapping significantly — May require early orthodontic monitoring
- Persistent high fever during teething — Teething does not cause high fever; consult your pediatrician if fever exceeds 38°C (100.4°F)
Building Healthy Habits That Last a Lifetime
As your NW Edmonton dentist, we strive to be a kid-friendly dental clinic that offers pediatric care to help ensure and guide you throughout your child’s dental growth and eliminate your worries. Our team of dentists commits to addressing your child’s dental needs in a caring and professional way.
A dentist visit has a lot of great things for your child’s oral needs. Here is a list of why you should establish your child’s dental home as early as a few months old:
We will inform and help you resolve a child’s unhealthy habits, such as finger sucking and using pacifiers. We will give you professional advice when you start taking your child to the dentist to help and guide you in the progress of their dental growth so that when they grow up, they will experience fewer oral and dental problems.
A child’s first tooth emergence may get you worried, but when that happens, a dentist in Alberta
can attend to your child’s oral needs. Taking your child at an early age to a dentist may be an additional financial issue, but going to the dentist later on with much more complex cases and needs may add more financial burden in the future.
Feel free to contact us at info@designdentistry.ca or 780-484-8138.
