Cutting teeth isn’t one of those milestones a baby reaches all at once. It can take your child his first 3 years to complete. Baby teeth won’t fall out until your child’s permanent teeth are ready to come in, sometime around age 6.
Once teeth are in, it’s up to you to keep them clean. For the first year, you don’t need to brush his teeth, but do try to clean them once a day. Your child may not want a brush in his mouth, so wipe his gums and teeth with a clean cloth instead. You should also never put your baby to bed with a bottle.
Around 18 months, your child may be ready to learn to brush his teeth. You will have to help him and check if his cleaning has been effective for several years yet, but it’s a good habit to get him into. Show him how to move the brush around on his teeth. Use a soft brush and a small dollop of toothpaste. You don’t have to brush in a certain direction, just try to get any food particles out and clean the surface of the teeth and the gumline.
If your child doesn’t like the taste of the toothpaste, try a different brand, or just skip it. You don’t need to use toothpaste unless your child eats lots of sugar. After having had a birthday party for example, make sure to brush his teeth soon after he eats. Around his 3rd birthday, go see your dentist so your child gets used to the idea.
