New & Returning Patients

Baby teeth (primary teeth) begin emerging as early as 6 months. Gums can be sore, tender, and irritable until around age 3 when all 20 primary teeth have typically come in. Gently rub your baby's gums with a clean finger, the back of a cold spoon, or a cold, wet cloth to help ease the discomfort. Teething rings also work well — but avoid teething biscuits, as they contain sugar that is harmful to new baby teeth.

Watch the inside of your child's teeth (the tongue side) for dull white spots or lines — these can be early signs of baby bottle tooth decay and should be checked by a dentist promptly.

The development of healthy baby teeth begins well before birth. By the time a baby is born, all 20 primary teeth are already formed below the gumline, waiting to erupt. Baby teeth begin to appear between 6 and 12 months, usually starting with the two lower front teeth.

If teeth are slow to emerge, don't worry — normal variation is wide. If no teeth have appeared by 12 months, mention it at your next dental visit. Primary teeth follow a general eruption order, but timing can vary from child to child. Our team tracks your child's progress at every visit.

A child's first dental visit should be scheduled around his or her first birthday. The most important part of this visit is getting comfortable with a doctor and their staff. A pleasant visit helps the child overcome any fears, builds confidence, and establishes the dental office as a positive, trusted place. Children should never be threatened with a dental visit as a form of discipline.

At this first visit, your doctor reviews feeding habits, teething progress, bite development, and any concerns you have. Questions about diet, brushing technique, and home care are all welcomed and encouraged.

Primary teeth are important for several reasons beyond just chewing. They maintain proper space in the jaw for permanent teeth, support normal development of the jaw bones and muscles, and play a key role in speech development. Baby teeth also guide adult teeth into the correct position as they emerge around age 6–7.

If a baby tooth is lost early — through decay or injury — neighboring teeth can shift into the empty space, making it harder for the permanent tooth to come in straight. In these cases, a space maintainer may be recommended to hold the space open until the adult tooth is ready to erupt.

A nutritious, well-balanced diet is essential for strong, healthy teeth and gums. A variety of foods from the five food groups provides the minerals and vitamins teeth need to develop properly. Calcium-rich foods like dairy, leafy greens, and legumes build strong enamel. Vitamin C supports gum health. Phosphorus in proteins helps remineralize teeth.

Limit sugary snacks and drinks — especially sticky, chewy foods that cling to tooth surfaces and feed cavity-causing bacteria. When your child does have sugar, timing matters: frequent small exposures throughout the day are more damaging than a single treat at mealtime, because saliva needs about 20 minutes to neutralize the acid after each sugar exposure.

Teething typically begins around 6 months of age. The lower front teeth usually appear first, followed by the upper front incisors. From there, teeth erupt in a fairly predictable pattern — filling all 20 spaces by around age 3.

During eruption, resistance and fussiness are common. Gently massaging gum pads, offering cold (not frozen) teething rings, or wiping the area with a clean wet cloth can provide relief. Some mild drooling and chewing behavior is completely normal — it doesn't necessarily mean a tooth is about to break through. Fevers are not a direct symptom of teething; if your child runs a fever, consult your pediatrician.

Baby bottle tooth decay is one of the most common — and preventable — dental problems in young children. It occurs when sweetened liquids (milk, formula, juice, or any sugar-containing drink) cling to an infant's teeth for extended periods, feeding cavity-causing bacteria.

Never put your baby to sleep with a bottle containing anything other than water. If your child falls asleep while nursing or bottle-feeding, gently remove the bottle or breast before they are fully asleep. During the day, avoid giving a bottle as a pacifier between feedings. If your child is thirsty between feedings, offer water. Begin wiping down teeth and gums with a clean damp cloth after each feeding — even before the first tooth appears.