Teeth and Oral Care

🍼When teeth come in

The first tooth usually appears around 6 months, often a lower front tooth. Some babies get one at 4 months, others after their first birthday — the range is wide. All 20 baby teeth are usually in by about 2½ to 3 years.

Around age 6, the first permanent molars appear behind the baby teeth, and the front teeth start to be replaced by permanent ones.

😣Soothing teething

• Drooling, chewing on hands or objects, swollen gums and fussiness are common.
• Rub the gums with a clean finger, or offer a chilled (not frozen) teether.
• Avoid amber or teething necklaces — they pose choking and strangulation risks.
• Numbing gels are not recommended for babies and toddlers; ask a doctor if needed.
• Teething does not cause high fever or severe diarrhea. If these happen, look for another cause.

🪥Brushing and fluoride toothpaste

• Before teeth: wiping the gums with damp gauze after feeds gets babies used to having their mouth touched.
• From the first tooth to age 3: a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste, twice a day.
• Ages 3–6: a pea-sized amount. Practice spitting and rinse lightly.
• Brushing before bed matters most. After brushing, only water.
• Children lack the dexterity to brush well alone, so parents should finish the job until the early school years.
• Start flossing once teeth touch each other.
• Choose a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles; replace it when the bristles splay.

🍬Habits that cause cavities

• Falling asleep with a bottle — milk or juice bathes the teeth all night and causes front-tooth decay.
• Start practicing with a cup around the first birthday and wean off the bottle gradually.
• Don't let children sip juice or sweet drinks from a bottle or straw cup for long periods. Give snacks at set times.
• Sharing an adult's spoon or pre-chewed food can pass on cavity-causing bacteria.
• Sticky snacks and candy are riskier the more often they are eaten. Rinse with water or brush afterward.
• White bands or brown spots near the gumline of the front teeth may be early decay; have a dentist check.

🏥Dental visits and checkups

A first dental visit is recommended within 6 months of the first tooth and no later than about the first birthday. Even without cavities, it is a chance to learn brushing and fluoride use, and to make the dentist familiar.

In Korea, infant dental checkups are available 3 times: at 18–29, 42–53 and 54–65 months. Regular fluoride varnish at the dentist also helps prevent cavities.

🦷Permanent teeth and sealants

The first permanent molars, arriving around age 6, have deep grooves that decay easily. In Korea, sealants that fill these grooves are covered by national health insurance for permanent molars up to age 18.

Don't ignore cavities in baby teeth because they will fall out anyway. Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth and matter for chewing and speech.

💬FAQ