If your child or toddler won’t let you brush their teeth, good oral care can get tricky. It’s important to develop good health habits at an early age. Start off by using a clean washcloth to clean your child’s mouth after each meal, as early as possible. This will get your child used to your later oral care efforts. Try this also for your uncooperative two year old: start off with the washcloth approach and gradually move to a toothbrush.
Q: My baby is one year old and has no teeth. Should I be worried or is he just late teething?
A: The first tooth usually erupts between the ages of six months to one year. If teeth haven’t appeared by about age 18 months, this is unusual and you should bring your child to the dentist for an x-ray to check if the teeth are under the gums or possibly congenitally missing. Consider bringing your child to a pediatric specialist soon if you are very concerned.
Mouth Care for your Infant-Toddler (Birth to 3 years)
Your baby’s teeth will be needed for: Eating/chewing, smiling/appearance, talking/speech and health adult teeth.