Baby Teeth Care

When Should Babies Get Their Teeth​?

Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months of age, though it’s completely normal for some to start as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months. The lower front teeth (central incisors) typically appear first, followed by the upper front teeth. Every child develops at their own pace, so don’t worry if your baby’s timeline differs from others.

Baby Teeth Chart: Understanding the Order of Eruption.
While baby teeth follow a predictable sequence, each child’s journey is unique. Understanding this typical pattern helps you know what to expect, even though your little one might surprise you with their own timeline.

Bottom teeth usually come first:

• Central incisors (middle bottom teeth) – 6 to 10 months
• Lateral incisors – 10 to 16 months
• First molars – 14 to 18 months
• Canines (pointy “vampire” teeth) – 17 to 23 months
• Second molars – 23 to 31 months

Top teeth follow a similar pattern:

• Central incisors – 8 to 12 months
• Lateral incisors – 9 to 13 months
• First molars – 13 to 19 months
• Canines – 16 to 22 months
• Second molars – 25 to 33 months

Remember: your baby may not follow this exact script. Sometimes top teeth arrive before bottom teeth, and molars can appear early. As long as teeth are emerging and your child is healthy, the exact order isn’t critical.

What matters most is starting to care for those teeth the moment they appear — no matter the order.

How to Help Your Teething Baby Feel Better

When teething strikes, here are the things that actually help soothe those sore little gums:

What can help:

• Chilled teething rings (from the fridge, not the freezer): The cool temperature eases gum discomfort without being too harsh.
  
• A clean finger gum massage: Wash your hands and gently rub your baby’s gums. Most babies find this surprisingly calming.
  
• Firm rubber teethers: Safe, durable, and perfect for chewing.
  
• A cold, damp washcloth: The combination of texture and coolness offers simple, effective relief.
  

What to avoid:

• Teething gels with benzocaine: Not recommended for children under 2.
  
• Frozen teethers: Too cold and can cause gum injury.
  
• Teething tablets: Not advised due to safety concerns and lack of proven benefit.
  

If your baby is really uncomfortable, have a chat with us about safe pain relief options. We’re here to help your little one — and you — get a bit more sleep.

How Should I Care for My Baby’s Teeth

Here is a simple age-by-age guide that may help you.

Before the first tooth appears:
Even before you see any teeth, gently wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth after feeds. This helps remove bacteria and teaches your baby that mouth cleaning is part of their daily routine.

First tooth to around 18 months:
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth pops through. Use a soft baby toothbrush with just water (no toothpaste yet). Brush twice a day, morning and before bed. 

18 months to 3 years:
Introduce toothpaste. Use a tiny smear (about the size of a grain of rice) of low-fluoride children’s toothpaste. From around age 2, you can increase this to a pea-sized amount.

Keep supervising and encourage spitting. Swallowing a little bit of toothpaste at this age is normal, so don’t worry too much.

Age 3 and up:
Continue brushing twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Once the teeth are touching side-by-side, start flossing between them.

Most children need help brushing until around age 7- 8, simply because they don’t yet have the hand coordination for a thorough clean. Even if they insist on “I can do it myself!”, it’s best to do a proper check and brush afterwards.

How Can I Prevent Tooth Decay in Baby Teeth?

Tooth decay in young children (early childhood caries) is common, but very preventable. Here’s what really helps keep those little teeth healthy:

Feeding habits that help:

• Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice. Sugar sitting on their teeth overnight is one of the biggest causes of decay.
• Transition from bottle to a sippy cup between 12–18 months if you can.
• Limit sugary drinks and snacks during the day.
• Offer water between meals to rinse the mouth and reduce sugar exposure.
• After night feeds, gently wipe your baby’s gums or teeth with a damp cloth.

Fluoride is your friend:
Fluoride strengthens enamel and helps stop decay. Melbourne’s tap water contains fluoride, which gives kids’ teeth an extra layer of protection.

• For babies under 18 months: brush with water only.
• After 18 months: use a tiny smear of low-fluoride children’s toothpaste, as mentioned earlier.

Regular check-ups matter:
Seeing us every six months lets the dentists spot early changes (like small white patches that can be early signs of decay) and apply protective treatments such as fluoride varnish or fissure sealants when needed. Finding issues early means easier, more comfortable fixes — and healthier little smiles.

Why Choose MC Dental for Your Child’s Dental Care

We understand that your child’s early dental experiences can shape how they feel about dentists for the rest of their life. That’s a big responsibility, and it’s one we take seriously.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Experienced with kids: Our team knows how to communicate with children in ways that feel safe, friendly, and reassuring.
• Patient and gentle: We move at your child’s pace. No rushing, no pressure, just calm, supportive care.
• Prevention-focused: We focus on education and early intervention, helping prevent problems long before they start.
• Support for parents: You’ll get clear, practical guidance so you feel confident caring for your child’s teeth at home.
• Convenient locations across Melbourne: With 6 clinics across the city, there’s likely an MC Dental near you.
• Family-friendly appointment options: Most of our clinics are open 7 days a week (Brighton open 6 days). Plus we offer evening and weekend appointments, and at least one of our clinics is open on public holidays, making dental care easier to fit into busy family life.