Stephanie Gibson Lepore
Children’s dental care can be one of those parenting tasks that sneaks up on you, but it’s important to teach proper oral care from an early age to maintain healthy habits as kids grow. Here’s what you should know about helping little ones brush their teeth, how to make losing baby teeth a fun milestone, and what to do to keep those smiles bright and healthy.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) was founded in 1947 and is a nonprofit professional membership association representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. As “the leading national advocate dedicated exclusively to children’s oral health,” its members provide primary care and dental specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents, and individuals with special health-care needs.
Even though primary, better known as “baby,” teeth are temporary, the AAPD points out their vital roles of helping children chew, speak, and hold space in the jaw for the permanent teeth to come. According to one child-dental overview, “if a baby tooth decays or is removed too early, the space necessary for the permanent teeth is lost and can only be regained through orthodontic treatment.” That means healthy care of baby teeth isn’t just until the permanent teeth come in; good health care matters now.
Children typically begin losing baby teeth around ages 5 or 6 (often the front lower teeth first) and continue until about ages 12 or 13. As those teeth loosen and fall out, the new adult teeth will come in, completing the set (except for wisdom teeth) by adolescence. When the “wiggly tooth” stage hits, you can help turn it into a positive milestone.
Stephanie Gibson Lepore
Tooth Tips for Parents
- Establish good habits early. The AAPD recommends that children have what they call a “dental home,” a consistent oral health provider, by age 1 or within six months of the first tooth erupting.
- Even before baby teeth arrive, wipe baby’s gums after feedings; once teeth appear, brush with a soft infant toothbrush.
- Use a rice-size amount of toothpaste for kids under 3, and supervise brushing until your child can comfortably spit out toothpaste. Between ages 3 and 6, use a pea-size amount of toothpaste.
- Begin flossing once teeth start touching.
- Replace your child’s toothbrush every three to four months or after an illness.
- Monitor pacifier use and thumb-sucking habits; if these persist beyond age 3, talk with your pediatric dentist about possible interventions.
When baby teeth begin to loosen, explain to your child that this is a natural step. The “baby” tooth is making way for the “adult” tooth.
If a baby tooth is very late in falling out, or if a permanent tooth is coming in behind a baby tooth that hasn’t loosened, consult your pediatric dentist.
Monitor diet to prevent decay.
- Limit sugary and sticky snacks and drinks. Frequent sugar exposure is a critical risk factor in early childhood cavities.
- Avoid putting young children to bed with bottles of milk, juice, or formula, as this habit can lead to the decay of baby teeth, which in turn affects adult teeth.
- Offer a diet primarily made up of fresh fruits, cheese, yogurt, veggies, nuts, and water.
Celebrate the milestones.
Losing a tooth can be exciting. Use the moment to talk about adult teeth, continue healthy habits, and emphasize good hygiene so the new tooth grows in nicely.
Schedule the follow-up dental visit as recommended so your child’s dentist can evaluate the emerging adult teeth and ensure space and alignment are on track.
Stay consistent with check-ups.
The AAPD emphasizes periodic dental exams, typically every six months (or as recommended by your dentist) to monitor growth, hygiene, and development.
Make sure your dentist is comfortable with children and their developmental dental changes.
Know when to call the dentist.
Contact your pediatric dentist if:
- A permanent tooth appears before the baby tooth is loose or gone.
- A tooth becomes loose too early (before age 4) due to injury or decay.
- You see swelling or bleeding or there is pain around a loose tooth.
- A tooth hasn’t erupted when expected; your dentist can check the spacing and alignment.
Make It a Milestone
Brilliant
Celebrate each wiggly tooth—it’s a smile in progress! Baby (primary) teeth hold space for adult (permanent) teeth and help children chew and speak properly. Most children start losing baby teeth around ages 5 to 6 and continuing until around age 12, as the last baby molars come out to make way for permanent teeth. The first teeth to be shed are often the lower front central incisors, followed by the upper central incisors.
Turn tooth loss into a positive family tradition by taking a “first lost tooth” photo, recording the date in a tooth-loss tracker or journal, or by creating a special Tooth Fairy tradition. (Raise your hand if you received a dollar under your pillow for each lost tooth!) The Tooth Fairy Flylight brings the magic of the Tooth Fairy to life with a colorful storybook and the Tooth Fairy Flylight projector nightlight. The story introduces children to the whimsical world of tooth fairies and their special “Flylight signal.” When a loose tooth finally falls out, kids can place it in the Flylight tray, press a button, and send a glowing message straight to tooth fairyland. It’s a memorable way to build excitement around losing teeth and adding a bit of magic to the milestone. Visit to order or learn more.