mission peak pediatric dentistry
(510) 980-7325
Schedule Now

Baby & Toddler Dental Care For kids in Fremont

When Should I Start Taking My Baby to the Dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit within six months of your baby’s first tooth, and no later than their first birthday. That visit is a short, gentle infant oral health exam where Dr. Michael Wang checks your child’s teeth and gums and answers your questions. Good habits start well before that appointment, though, and the first three years shape a lot of what follows.

Gas Mask tool

Caring for Baby Teeth From Birth to Age 3

tooth with clipboard icon

Before the First Tooth

Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp washcloth after feedings. It clears away milk residue and gets your baby used to having their mouth cleaned before teeth arrive.
Health icon

Teething

A chilled (not frozen) teething ring or a gentle rub with a clean finger can ease sore gums. Ask us before using numbing gels, since some are not recommended for young children.
tooth with magnifier icon

Bottles, Nursing and Bedtime

Milk, formula and juice left on the teeth overnight are a leading cause of early cavities. Offer water at bedtime and brush or wipe teeth after the last feeding. Our article on bottle and nursing tooth decay covers the warning signs.
dentist icon

Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking

Sucking habits are normal for babies, and most children stop on their own between ages 2 and 4. If the habit continues as permanent teeth come in, it can affect how the teeth and jaw develop, and habit-breaking appliances are one option we can discuss.
dentist icon calendar

Brushing and Toothpaste

Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, using a soft brush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Around age 3, move up to a pea-sized amount, and keep brushing for your child until they can do a thorough job on their own.

Dental Services

infant dental care

We can care for kids of all ages. If your infant has one or more teeth, bring them into our office. Dr. Wang can examine their mouth and make sure their teeth and gums are healthy. He can also discuss feeding tips, how to brush their new teeth and gums, diet advice, and other information that will help you care for your infant as they grow into a toddler.

toddler dental care

Kids usually get all of their baby teeth by the age of 3 years, so toddlers have much different dental needs than infants. At Mission Peak Pediatric Dentistry, we can help with their first teeth cleanings and x-rays, teething tips, and more. With the help of Dr. Wang and our team, you can feel confident that your child’s baby teeth are healthy, strong, and growing into their mouth properly.

View our services
infant dental care
We can care for kids of all ages. If your infant has one or more teeth, bring them into our office. Dr. Wang can examine their mouth and make sure their teeth and gums are healthy. He can also discuss feeding tips, how to brush their new teeth and gums, diet advice, and other information that will help you care for your infant as they grow into a toddler.
toddler dental care
Kids usually get all of their baby teeth by the age of 3 years, so toddlers have much different dental needs than infants. At Mission Peak Pediatric Dentistry, we can help with their first teeth cleanings and x-rays, teething tips, and more. With the help of Dr. Wang and our team, you can feel confident that your child’s baby teeth are healthy, strong, and growing into their mouth properly.

Have questions about infant and toddler dentistry? Find answers here.

Kids usually get their first tooth before they’re a year old. As soon as your child has their first tooth, start brushing it. Use a soft bristled toothbrush and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste. Brush each tooth thoroughly, and don’t forget to brush their gums, too.
As your child grows and more of their baby teeth start to come out, you can start using a grain-of-rice-sized dab of toothpaste to brush all of their teeth. Once they know how to spit on command and won’t swallow it, you can use a pea-sized dab of toothpaste.

You should brush your child’s teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. We recommend brushing once in the morning right after they wake up, and once before they go to bed. You also should make sure you come to our office every six months for preventive care. Routine oral exams and teeth cleanings help our team keep an eye on your child’s oral health, and help ensure their teeth and gums stay healthy.

Within six months of the first tooth, and no later than the first birthday. The first appointment is a short infant oral health exam, and it gives you a chance to ask about feeding, teething and brushing. If your child is older and hasn’t been yet, it isn’t too late. Dr. Wang is a pediatric dentist in Fremont who sees kids of all ages, and the best time to start is now.

Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice, because those sugars sit on the teeth overnight. Use water for a bedtime bottle, wipe or brush the teeth after the last feeding, and start moving from a bottle to a cup around the first birthday.

Most children give up the habit on their own between ages 2 and 4. If it continues past that point, mention it at your child’s next checkup so we can look at how their teeth are coming in and talk through gentle ways to help them stop.