The first tooth, and when to come in
Teething, the first brush, and why the first visit should be before anything hurts.
A 1 minute read, from the team at Myrtia
Most babies get their first tooth somewhere between four and ten months, and a few are born with one. There is no prize for early or late.
Teething
Dribbling, chewing everything and red cheeks are normal. A cool teething ring from the fridge, not the freezer, helps. High fever or diarrhoea are not caused by teething, so if your baby has them, call your paediatrician.
The first brush
As soon as a tooth appears, brush it twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. From three years, a pea-sized amount.
The first visit
Bring your child when the first tooth arrives, or by their first birthday. It is free for children under four and it is mostly a conversation with you, while your baby sits on your lap and inspects our instruments. The point is that the first visit to a dentist is a nice one, long before anything ever hurts.