Dental care by age

Your baby’s first teeth usually appear between six and 10 months of age. When your child is two to three years of age, they will have all 20 baby teeth. For information, visit the Ontario Dental Association’s tips for kids.

Baby teeth are important. They help your child eat and speak. Most children have some baby teeth until they are 12 years old.

Tips for healthy teeth:

• Wipe baby’s gums.

  • Before your baby’s teeth come in, wipe their gums daily using a clean, damp cloth.

• Brush your child’s teeth twice a day.

  • When teeth appear, brush your child’s teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time.
  • For children under three years of age, Health Canada recommends using a small amount of fluoride toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) if the child is at risk of developing tooth decay.
  • For children three years of age and older, Health Canada recommends using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

• Lift the upper lip and look for white or brown spots on your child’s teeth.

  • These spots may be the first signs of a cavity. If you see these spots, take your child to the dentist. Watch the Lift the Lip video to see an example of how to do this.

• Prevent the spread of dental disease.

  • Do not share your child’s spoon. If you choose to offer a soother, do not put it in your mouth because you can transfer bacteria that causes tooth decay.

• Avoid drinks with lots of sugar.

  • Sugar in sweet drinks like juice, chocolate milk, and pop can cause tooth decay, even if watered down. View tips on healthy food and drinks for children.

• Visit the dentist.

  • Take your child for their first visit to the dentist by age one, and visit the dentist regularly. Talk to your dentist about preventive care and fluoride treatments. There are programs available to help with the cost of dental care.

Frequently asked questions

When should I take my child for their first visit to the dentist?

The Canadian Dental Association recommends you should take your child for their first visit to the dentist by age one, or within six months of their first tooth coming in.

Your child may qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan and/or Healthy Smiles Ontario.

What can I do if my child doesn’t want their teeth brushed?

Young children are not able to clean their teeth on their own. They need an adult’s help until they are about eight years old.

Tips to make brushing teeth easier:

• Show them how to brush by brushing your teeth as an example.
• Make brushing a routine. Brush your child’s teeth twice a day. Brushing at bedtime is important.
• Make brushing fun. Sing, tell stories, or listen to music during brushing.
• Practise brushing. Let children have a turn brushing so they can build their brushing skills.

Visit the Canadian Dental Association website for more tips on how to clean your child’s teeth.

How can I soothe and calm my teething baby?

Teething babies may have sore or red gums.

To help soothe your baby when teething:

• Massage their gums with a clean, wet cloth that has been chilled in the refrigerator.
• Offer your baby a teething ring. Babies massage their own gums by chewing on hard, smooth objects.

Avoid giving your baby:

• Hard foods like raw carrots that could cause them to choke.
• Sweet foods and teething biscuits that could cause tooth decay.
• Over-the-counter teething gels, unless advised by a doctor.

Getting new teeth does not make babies sick or give them a fever. If your baby has a fever, contact your health-care provider.

Visit the Ontario Dental Association tips on looking after your baby’s teeth.

Tips for healthy teeth:

• Brush teeth twice a day. Brush your child’s teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time, using fluoride toothpaste. Children need an adult’s help brushing their teeth until they are about eight years old. Visit the Canadian Dental Association website for information on cleaning children’s teeth.
• Floss every day. Flossing helps to keep teeth clean and gums healthy.
• Choose water instead of drinks with lots of sugar. Sugar in sweet drinks like juice, chocolate milk, and pop can cause tooth decay, even if watered down. The Canadian Dental Association has advice on nutrition for children.
• Visit the dentist for regular checkups and fluoride treatments. Your family may be eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan or Healthy Smiles Ontario.

Visit the Ontario Dental Association for information on teen dental health.

• Routine dental care is safe during pregnancy. Schedule a checkup in your first trimester. Tell your dentist that you are pregnant. If you need any other treatment, the best time to do this is during the second trimester (fourth to sixth month of pregnancy).
• Put off routine X-rays until after your baby is born. If your dentist feels that X-rays are necessary for your treatment, they will provide a lead apron, which will protect you and your baby.
• If you have a dental emergency, see your dentist right away.
• Brushing and flossing are important during pregnancy. Brush your teeth twice a day, for at least two minutes each time, using a fluoride toothpaste. Floss every day.

Visit Health Canada’s website for information on oral health and pregnancy.

Dental health is an important part of overall health and well-being.

Tips for healthy teeth:

• Brush your teeth twice a day.
• Floss every day.
• Choose water instead of drinks with lots of sugar.
• Visit your dentist for regular checkups and fluoride treatments.

Visit the Ontario Dental Association for tips on dental health for adults and seniors and caregivers.

Adults may be eligible for Canada Dental Care Plan and seniors may be eligible for both the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program and Canada Dental Care Plan.