Your Child’s Dental Milestones With The Dental Care Group

October 30, 2025

A Parent’s Guide to Every Precious Moment: From First Tooth to First Tooth Fairy Visit

Watching your child grow is filled with exciting milestones—first steps, first words, and yes, that first adorable tooth! Understanding what to expect during your child’s dental development can help you provide the best care at each stage and know when to seek professional guidance. At Dental Care Group Kids in Aventura and Pembroke Pines, we’re here to guide you through every smile milestone along the way. Call our pediatric dental clinic near you today to schedule your weekend appointment in Aventura: (305) 935-2797 or Pembroke Pines: (954) 430-2300.

The First Tooth: Six to 10 Months

What to Expect:

Most babies get their first tooth between six and 10 months of age, though some may get teeth earlier or later (both are normal). The lower central incisors (bottom front teeth) typically appear first, followed shortly by the upper central incisors.

Signs of Teething:

Increased drooling
Chewing on objects
Irritability or fussiness
Swollen or tender gums
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns

What You Can Do:

Teething can be uncomfortable, but there are safe ways to provide relief. Offer your baby a clean, chilled (not frozen) teething ring or gently massage their gums with a clean finger. Avoid teething gels with benzocaine, which can be harmful to infants.

This is also the perfect time to schedule your baby’s first dental visit. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a dentist by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth erupting, whichever comes first. This early visit allows us to check development, discuss proper care, and answer any questions you might have.

The First Year: Building a Foundation (Birth to 12 Months)

What to Expect:

By the time your baby celebrates their first birthday, they may have anywhere from two to eight teeth. Every child develops at their own pace, so don’t worry if your baby’s timeline differs slightly from others.

Dental Care Tips:

Clean your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings, even before teeth emerge
Once teeth appear, brush twice daily with a soft infant toothbrush and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste (rice grain-sized)
Never put your baby to bed with a bottle containing anything other than water
Schedule that first dental visit

Important Milestone: First Dental Visit

This visit is more about prevention and education than treatment. We’ll examine your baby’s mouth, discuss proper brushing techniques, talk about nutrition and its impact on dental health, and help you and your baby become comfortable with dental visits.

The Toddler Years: One to Three Years Old

What to Expect:

Between ages one and three, your child will continue to gain teeth until they have a complete set of 20 primary teeth. The molars (back teeth used for chewing) typically come in during this period, which can be particularly uncomfortable for toddlers.

Typical Tooth Eruption Pattern:

6-10 months: Lower and upper central incisors
8-13 months: Upper lateral incisors
10-16 months: Lower lateral incisors
13-19 months: First molars (top and bottom)
16-23 months: Canines (pointed teeth)
23-31 months: Second molars (back teeth)

Dental Care Tips:

Continue brushing twice daily, now with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, once your child turns three
Start teaching your child to spit out toothpaste (though they may not master this skill immediately)
Limit juice and sugary drinks; offer water or milk instead
Begin introducing flossing once teeth touch each other
Continue regular dental checkups every six months

Managing Toddler Brushing Resistance:

Toddlers often resist tooth brushing as they assert their independence. Make it fun by letting them choose their toothbrush, singing songs during brushing time, or letting them brush a favorite stuffed animal’s “teeth” first. Remember, you’re still in charge of the actual brushing—they can help, but you need to ensure thorough cleaning.

Preschool Years: Three to Five Years Old

What to Expect:

By age three, most children have all 20 primary teeth. These years are about maintaining those teeth and establishing good oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime.

Dental Care Tips:

Your child can now use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
Begin teaching proper brushing technique, though you’ll still need to supervise and help
Introduce flossing daily if you haven’t already
Discuss diet and how certain foods affect teeth
Continue six-month dental checkups

Common Concerns During This Stage:

This is the age when we often see the first cavities if oral hygiene or diet hasn’t been optimal. We can apply dental sealants to baby molars if needed to provide extra protection. We’ll also monitor for thumb-sucking or pacifier habits that should ideally end by age four to prevent dental alignment issues.

The Mixed Dentition Stage: Six to 12 Years Old

What to Expect:

young girl who lost a baby tooth Around age six, an exciting milestone occurs: your child will begin losing their baby teeth and gaining permanent teeth. This is called the “mixed dentition” stage because their mouth contains both primary and permanent teeth.

The Process of Losing Baby Teeth:

Usually begins around age six (though some children start earlier or later)
Typically happens in the same order teeth came in—lower front teeth first
The permanent tooth develops underneath and gradually pushes the baby tooth out
The root of the baby tooth dissolves, causing it to become loose
Most children lose all baby teeth by age 12-13

First Permanent Teeth: The “Six-Year Molars”:

The first permanent teeth are usually the “six-year molars”—large back teeth that erupt behind the baby teeth without replacing any primary tooth. Many parents don’t realize these are permanent teeth because they come in before any baby teeth are lost. These molars are particularly vulnerable to cavities, so ask us about dental sealants to protect them.

What’s Normal:

Some bleeding when a tooth falls out (have your child bite on clean gauze)
Slight gaps between teeth (this is often good—it means there’s room for larger permanent teeth)
Permanent teeth looking larger and more yellow than baby teeth (this is normal; they have different enamel)
Teeth coming in crooked or behind baby teeth (often self-corrects, but let us monitor it)

When to Call The Dental Care Group:

A baby tooth is knocked out due to injury
A permanent tooth comes in before the baby tooth falls out
A tooth is very loose due to injury rather than natural loosening
Your child has pain or swelling associated with a loose tooth
A baby tooth hasn’t fallen out, and the permanent tooth is erupting behind it

Dental Care Tips:

Children should still be supervised during brushing until around age seven to eight
Introduce an age-appropriate fluoride mouthwash if recommended
Make sure your child brushes the new permanent molars thoroughly
Consider an orthodontic evaluation around age seven
Continue regular six-month dental checkups
If your child plays sports, talk to us about a custom mouthguard to protect their teeth

Special Considerations

Late or Early Dental Development:

Some children develop teeth earlier or later than average. This can be influenced by genetics, nutrition, and other factors. If your child hasn’t gotten their first tooth by 15 months, or if they’re significantly ahead or behind the typical timeline, let us know so we can ensure everything is developing properly.

Natal and Neonatal Teeth:

Rarely, babies are born with teeth (natal teeth) or develop them in the first month of life (neonatal teeth). These require evaluation to determine if they should be removed or monitored.

Dental Anxiety:

Some children develop anxiety about dental visits or losing teeth. We specialize in pediatric dentistry and create a comfortable, friendly environment that helps children feel safe and relaxed. We use age-appropriate language, offer positive reinforcement, and go at your child’s pace.

The Tooth Fairy Tradition:

Losing teeth is a rite of passage! Many families celebrate with the tooth fairy tradition. This can help make losing teeth exciting rather than scary. Some children enjoy keeping a tooth fairy journal to record which tooth was lost and when.

Why Regular Dental Visits Matter at Every Stage

young girl getting a dental checkup and high fiving the dentist While understanding these milestones is helpful, regular dental visits are essential for several reasons:

Early Detection: We can identify potential problems before they become serious
Professional Cleaning: Even with excellent home care, professional cleanings remove buildup that brushing and flossing miss
Preventive Care: Fluoride treatments and sealants provide extra protection against cavities
Education: We teach age-appropriate brushing and flossing techniques
Monitoring Development: We track how teeth are coming in and identify any alignment issues early
Building Comfort: Regular visits help children see the dentist as a normal, positive part of healthcare

Your Partners in Pediatric Dental Care

At Dental Care Group Kids, we understand that every child’s dental journey is unique. Our pediatric specialists are experienced in caring for children at every stage of development, from that first tooth through the teenage years. We create a welcoming, fun environment where children feel comfortable and parents feel confident in their child’s dental care.

Whether you’re celebrating the arrival of your baby’s first tooth, navigating the teething stage, or helping your child through losing their first baby tooth, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our Aventura and Pembroke Pines dental offices offer comprehensive pediatric dentistry with convenient Saturday hours to fit your family’s schedule.

Ready to partner with us for your child’s dental health journey? We’d love to welcome your family to our practice!

Schedule an appointment at Dental Care Group Kids: