Before the first tooth
Oral care starts before teeth do. Wipe your baby's gums with a clean, damp washcloth after feedings — it clears milk residue and gets your baby comfortable with having their mouth touched, which pays off enormously at brushing time and at the dentist.
The first tooth changes the routine
Once that first tooth appears (usually around 6 months), begin brushing twice a day with a soft infant toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste no bigger than a grain of rice. At age 3, graduate to a pea-sized amount. An adult should do the brushing at this age — and keep helping until roughly age 7 or 8.
The bottle and sippy-cup rules that prevent the most cavities
Early childhood decay is strongly tied to how drinks meet teeth. Three habits do most of the protective work:
- Don't put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice — overnight pooling is the classic cause of early decay in front teeth.
- Reserve juice, if any, for mealtimes in an open cup; water between meals.
- Start weaning from the bottle toward a cup around the first birthday.
The age-one dental visit
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by your child's first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth. At our Sarasota office, an infant visit is short and gentle — often a lap-to-lap exam where your baby lies with their head in Dr. Chery's lap and their eyes on you. We check development, talk teething, feeding, and fluoride, and answer everything you've been wondering at 3 AM.
As a board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Chery trained specifically in infant and toddler care — and welcomes families in English, French, and Haitian Creole.
Toddlers: turning cooperation into habit
Between 1 and 3, the goals are simple: keep visits positive, keep brushing non-negotiable but playful, watch snack frequency, and let us track how those 20 baby teeth are coming in. Toddlers who grow up visiting the dentist rarely learn to fear it.
This guide is general educational information, not dental or medical advice. For guidance about your child, call (941) 529-0331 or request an appointment.