Your baby’s milk teeth have to last him until he is at least 5 years old. Taking good care of them will help make sure he never suffers the discomfort of toothache or dental treatment and that his adult teeth will have the best possible launch pad.

A baby’s milk teeth are actually laid down while he is in the womb and begin to erupt through the gum at some time during his first year. Their health and alignment are very important as they can determine the eating habits of your growing child through to adulthood.


Not all babies teethe at the same rate (indeed, some babies are born with teeth) but the teeth usually erupt in the same order. You’ll see from the drawing it’s usually the two centre bottom incisors that come through first, followed by the top two, then two more, one on either side of the first two. Then it’s the first molars and the canines and eye teeth, top and then bottom, and finally the second molars – the teeth right at the back – appear.
By the time your baby is two and a half years old he should have a full set of twenty teeth – ten on the top and ten on the bottom – which he’ll keep until he’s about six years old.

Looking after your baby’s teeth

Rob Chapman has been voted one of the UK’s top child friendly dentists. At his Kingston Park dental practice in Newcastle, he aims to make babies' first visits to the dentist full of fun rather than fear.  A dentist for 24 years, he doesn’t wear a white coat and when it comes to little ones, never forgets that he’s a dad himself.
‘Children aren’t born scared of the dentist,’ says Rob, ‘but often mum or dad can transfer their own fears on to the baby, which is a great shame. We like babies to come with their mums in the first year so they can get used to the sights and sound of the surgery. Dental treatment is free for mums until their baby's first birthday, so its an ideal opportunity to get them used to the experience.’
‘Finally,’ says Rob, ‘it’s true that children get a second chance when their ‘big teeth’ come in, but the first set do guide the adult set into place, so bear in mind that if any first teeth are missing due to decay then teeth may end up out of position.’

Rob’s advice

• Fluoride has made the greatest difference to children’s dental health in the UK so always choose a toothpaste with fluoride in it. 
• Resist juice and give water to drink. 
• Brush 2 or 3 times a day if possible and always make sure you brush your teeth at the end of the day. 
• No teeth yet? No worries. Brush baby’s gums vigorously – in the bath is a good time to do it, so that, when the teeth come through, the gums have toughened up and this may lessen the discomfort. 
• Use teethers rather than relying on teething gels which provide only a temporary numbing effect on baby’s teeth. 
• Choose the softest toothbrush available and remember to replace your baby’s toothbrush regularly.

Dental checklist

• Tommee Tippee and the British Dental Health Foundation recommend only milk or water to drink. 
• Mealtimes are the best times to give drinks. 
• Always dilute juice one part juice to ten parts water. 
• Teeth need a rest after coming into contact with juice. 
• Babies do not know the difference between sweetened and unsweetened drinks. 
• Sweet drinks (even those labelled ‘no added sugar’) will give babies a sweet tooth and put their teeth enamel at risk.
• Do not allow babies to hold a cup after they have finished, as prolonged sucking will cause tooth decay. 
• Register your child with a dentist before their first birthday - even if they haven’t any teeth. 
• Straws are beneficial as they carry liquid to the back of the mouth – not up against the front teeth. Fluoride has made the greatest difference to children’s dental health in the UK so always choose a toothpaste with fluoride in it. 
• Resist juice and give water to drink. 
• Brush 2 or 3 times a day if possible and always make sure you brush your teeth at the end of the day. 
• No teeth yet? No worries. Brush baby’s gums vigorously – in the bath is a good time to do it, so that, when the teeth come through, the gums have toughened up and this may lessen the discomfort. 
• Use teethers rather than relying on teething gels which provide only a temporary numbing effect on baby’s teeth. 
• Choose the softest toothbrush available and remember to replace your baby’s toothbrush regularly.

Last Updated: August 29, 2007