First dental visit and daily care

The first dental visit is recommended by the first birthday, or within 6 months of the first tooth erupting — whichever comes first. Early visits check for cavities, review technique, and get baby used to the dentist. Fluoride varnish is applied and lasts 3–6 months. Brush twice daily as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a rice-grain-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste for babies, and increase to a pea-sized amount at age 3. Parent-supervised brushing continues until age 7 or 8 — kids' fine motor skills can't reach every surface effectively before then. Skip juice, sugary drinks, and bottles in bed with milk — all cause "baby bottle tooth decay." Water in a cup at meals is the best beverage for teeth from 12 months on.