The first tooth is a small celebration at home, and with it come the first questions: does it hurt? what can I give my baby? when do we start brushing? Baby teeth will fall out one day, but until then they do important work, and caring for them starts from the day they appear.
Every child has their own pace, so what follows is a general guide and does not replace an examination.
When the first teeth come in
Most babies get their first tooth at around six months, but it is normal for it to happen quite a bit earlier or later. Usually the two lower front teeth appear first, followed by the upper ones. As a rough picture:
- From 6 to about 16 months: the front teeth.
- About 13–19 months: the first molars.
- About 16–23 months: the canines.
- About 2–3 years: the second molars. By around three, most children have all 20 baby teeth.
At around six years old, the first permanent molars come in behind the last baby teeth, without any tooth falling out first. They are easy to mistake for baby teeth, but they stay for life and need careful brushing.
Why baby teeth matter
The front baby teeth usually fall out at around 6–7 years, but the back molars often stay until 10–12. All those years, your child chews, learns to speak clearly and smiles with them. They also hold the space for the permanent teeth coming in underneath.
Decay in a baby tooth can progress quickly, cause pain and lead to an abscess. That is why we do not leave it with the thought that it will fall out anyway.
Teething: what is normal
In the days before a tooth comes through, many babies:
- Dribble more.
- Want to chew on anything they can reach.
- Are more unsettled or sleep more restlessly.
- Have a red or slightly swollen gum where the tooth is coming.
Teething does not usually cause a high temperature, diarrhoea or a baby who is clearly unwell. If your baby has symptoms like these, do not put them down to teething; speak to your paediatrician.
How to soothe your baby
- A teething ring, clean and cooled in the fridge, not frozen.
- Gently rubbing the gum with a clean finger.
- Wiping away dribble with a soft cloth, so the skin around the mouth does not get sore.
- Pain relief or teething gels only after asking your paediatrician or pharmacist about the right product and dose.
Avoid teething necklaces and bracelets, because of the risk of choking. Do not dip a dummy in sugar or honey; honey should not be given to babies under one year old in any case.
Brushing from the first tooth
Brushing starts as soon as the first tooth appears, twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening, as the last thing before bed. Use a small, soft toothbrush suitable for your child's age.
How much fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride helps tooth enamel resist decay. For children, the usual recommendation is:
- Under 3 years: a smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice.
- From 3 to 6 years: a pea-sized amount.
- Over 6: the amount and type of toothpaste are adjusted to age; ask us at the check-up.
Children's toothpastes do not all contain the same amount of fluoride. If you are not sure which one to choose, ask us or your paediatrician. You put the toothpaste on the brush, and the tube stays out of your child's reach.
How to brush
- Stand or sit behind your child, with their head resting against you.
- Brush gently with small movements over every surface: front, back, the chewing surfaces and along the gum line.
- At the end, your child spits out the toothpaste without rinsing much, so a little fluoride stays on the teeth. Very young children cannot spit yet; simply wipe away the excess with a cloth.
- After the evening brush, only water until the morning.
- Once teeth start touching each other, ask us how to clean between them too.
Children need help or supervision with brushing until about 7–8 years old. Let your child have a go to learn, then go over the teeth once more yourself.
A quick check at home
Once a month, gently lift your child's upper lip and look at the front teeth near the gum. Dull white patches or brown marks can be the start of decay. If you see anything like this, book an appointment so we can take a closer look.
The first visit
We recommend a first visit when the first tooth comes through or around the first birthday, then a check-up about every six months, or as often as we advise. It is a short, relaxed introduction: we check teeth and gums, show you how to brush and answer your questions. Where appropriate, we may suggest a fluoride varnish for extra protection.
We have a separate guide on preparing your child: "Children's Dentistry in Aglantzia: Your Child's First Dental Visit".
What GESY covers
What GESY covers for children's dental care can differ from adults and may change. Ask us when you book and we will tell you what applies to your child before any treatment. You can read more on our Pediatric Dentistry treatment page.
Frequently asked questions
Do baby teeth really need brushing if they will fall out?
Yes. Baby teeth stay in the mouth for years, some until 10–12, and they can decay, hurt and become infected just like permanent teeth.
Is it a problem if my baby swallows some toothpaste?
The very small amount recommended under three, about a grain of rice, is suggested precisely because young children swallow some of it. That is why you put the toothpaste on yourself and keep the tube away from your child. If you have questions, ask us or your paediatrician.
Do dummies or thumb-sucking damage teeth?
They are very common in the early years. If the habit goes on for a long time, it can affect the position of the teeth and the bite. At check-ups we keep an eye on the bite and tell you whether and when it is worth gently phasing the habit out.
A permanent tooth has come in behind a baby tooth. What should I do?
This often happens with the lower front teeth at around six years old. Often the baby tooth loosens and falls out on its own within a few weeks, and the permanent tooth gradually moves into place. If the baby tooth is not loose, or several weeks pass, book an appointment so we can check.
When should I be concerned?
If your baby has a high temperature or diarrhoea, or is not eating or drinking, do not put it down to teething; speak to your paediatrician. For the teeth themselves, book an appointment if you notice patches or marks, if a tooth is coming in an unusual position, or if no teeth have appeared by about 18 months.
Book an appointment
If the first tooth has arrived or you have questions about brushing, call us on 77 773 003 or send a message on WhatsApp or Viber to 95 133 089. At DentLux Clinic in Aglantzia, Nicosia, we will meet your child calmly and show you what to do at home.
