---
title: "Top 10 Things to Know About Your Baby's First Teeth (UK)"
url: https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/top-10-things-to-know-about-babies-first-teeth-uk
description: "Teething, brushing from the first tooth, fluoride amounts, drinks, dummies and the first dental visit: ten things UK parents should know about baby teeth."
updated: 2026-10-17T00:00:00Z
publisher: Virtual Consultant Online
---

Top 10

Babies

Baby teeth

# Top 10 Things to Know About Your Baby's First Teeth

A baby's first teeth are a milestone, and they also raise lots of questions: when they should appear, whether teething hurts, when to start brushing, how much toothpaste to use, which drinks are safe and when to see a dentist. This guide sets out ten things UK parents and carers commonly want to know, based on NHS guidance, in plain English and in a practical order from the first tooth onwards. It is general information, not personal medical advice, and your health visitor, dentist or GP can advise about your own child.

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| Topic | What to know | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1. Timing varies | First teeth often appear around six months, but it varies | Do not worry about small differences |
| 2. Baby teeth matter | They hold space and affect eating and speech | Look after them from the start |
| 3. Start brushing at the first tooth | Plaque forms from the beginning | Brush twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste |
| 4. Use the right amount of fluoride | Too little or too much both matter | Smear for under 3s; follow NHS advice |
| 5. Teething is common | Fussiness, dribbling and sore gums | Comfort measures; ask a pharmacist |
| 6. Watch drinks and bottles | Sugar and frequency cause decay | Water and milk; no sugary drinks in bottles |
| 7. Think about dummies and thumbs | Prolonged use can affect teeth later | Aim to stop as advised |
| 8. Avoid sugary food and medicines | Hidden sugars are common | Check labels; ask for sugar-free medicines |
| 9. See a dentist early | NHS care for children is free | Register your baby and attend regularly |
| 10. Know when to get help | Pain, swelling, injury | Contact a dentist or NHS 111 |

## How this list is ordered

The ten points move in the order that parents usually meet them: when teeth appear, why they matter, how to start cleaning, how much toothpaste to use, how to cope with teething, what to give your baby to drink and eat, dummies and thumbs, dentist visits and when to seek help. It is an editorial list based on NHS guidance for parents and not a clinical protocol, and it does not rank points by importance. Every baby is different, and rules on NHS dental care and recommended products can change, so check current NHS guidance or ask your health visitor or dentist if you are unsure about anything.

## The baby teeth timeline in outline

Babies are born with their first set of teeth already forming in the gums. The first teeth to appear are usually the lower front teeth, often at around six months, though some babies get their first tooth earlier or later, and a few are born with one. By around two and a half to three, most children have a full set of twenty baby teeth. From around six, baby teeth begin to loosen and fall out as permanent teeth come through. Variations of several months either side are normal. If you are worried that no teeth have appeared by about a year, mention it to your health visitor or dentist.

## 1. When teeth appear varies from child to child

There is a wide range of normal. Many babies get their first tooth at around six months, but some have one at three months and others do not have one until after their first birthday. Late teeth are often just a family trait, and the order of eruption can vary too. Teething can start before the tooth shows, as the tooth moves towards the surface. It matters because worry about timing is common and usually unnecessary. Watch out for no teeth by around eighteen months, which is worth mentioning to a dentist, for a tooth that appears with swelling or pain, and for teeth that look discoloured or pitted, which should be checked. Otherwise, relax and enjoy the milestone.

## 2. Baby teeth matter

It is tempting to think baby teeth do not matter because they fall out, but they are important. They help children to chew, speak and smile, they hold space for the permanent teeth, and decay in baby teeth can cause pain, infection, sleepless nights and time off nursery or school. Children with decayed baby teeth are more likely to have problems with their adult teeth. In the UK, tooth decay is one of the most common reasons for young children to go into hospital. It matters because the habits you start now will last. Watch out for white or brown marks near the gum, which can be early decay, and for children who complain about sensitivity or pain when eating.

## 3. Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears

NHS advice is to start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as the first one comes through, twice a day, once just before bed and once at another time. Use a soft baby toothbrush with a small head, and brush gently on all surfaces, including the gum line. Make it part of the daily routine and keep it calm and playful. Brush while your baby is on your lap or lying back, and sing a song. It matters because plaque builds up from the first tooth. Watch out for skipping the night-time brush, for letting a child eat or drink after the last brush, except water, and for brushing so hard that it hurts. Parents should do the brushing, and young children cannot do it well alone.

## 4. Use the right amount of fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride helps to prevent decay, but the amount matters. NHS advice is to use a smear of toothpaste containing at least 1,000 parts per million of fluoride for children under three, and a pea-sized amount for ages three to six. Check the fluoride content on the tube, because some children's pastes contain less, and low-fluoride products may offer less protection. Spit out the excess, but do not rinse, because the fluoride stays on the teeth. It matters because too much swallowed over time can mark developing adult teeth, and too little offers less protection. Watch out for flavours that tempt children to eat paste, for tubes left within reach and for confusing toothpaste with mouthwash. Your dentist can confirm the right strength.

## 5. Teething is common but usually manageable

Teething often brings dribbling, red cheeks, chewing on things, irritability, a desire to nibble and sore, swollen gums, and sometimes a slightly raised temperature. NHS suggests comfort measures such as gently rubbing the gum with a clean finger, giving a cool, clean teething ring, and offering sugar-free healthy chewing options for older babies. Ask a pharmacist before using any teething gel or painkiller, because some products are not suitable for young children and dosing depends on age and weight. It matters because many parents feel under pressure to fix it. Watch out for a high fever, rash, diarrhoea or other illness being blamed on teething, because they need a check, and for amber necklaces or similar items, which are not recommended and can be a choking or strangulation hazard.

## 6. Be careful with drinks and bottles

Sugary drinks and frequent sipping are major causes of decay in young children. NHS advice is that babies and toddlers should have breast milk or formula and water, with plain full-fat cow's milk after twelve months, and that sugary drinks, including squash and fruit juices, should be avoided or kept for mealtimes in small amounts. From about six months, babies can start to learn to drink from an open cup or a free-flow beaker, and bottles are best phased out around the first birthday. It matters because milk or juice that pools around the teeth overnight can cause severe decay. Watch out for putting a baby to bed with a bottle of anything other than water, for sweetened drinks and for constant sippy cup sipping.

## 7. Think about dummies and thumb sucking

Dummies and thumb sucking soothe many babies, and they are not a problem in the early months. If they continue for years, they can affect how the teeth and jaws develop, for example by leaving a gap between the upper and lower front teeth. Many children stop on their own by around three or four, and dental professionals often advise stopping dummies by around the age of one or soon after, while thumb sucking is harder to change. Never dip a dummy in sugar or honey. It matters because early habits are easier to change than late ones. Watch out for pressure or shaming, which can backfire, for dummies used all day and for dummy cleaning that involves putting it in your own mouth. Your health visitor and dentist can advise on weaning off.

## 8. Watch out for sugar in food and medicines

Sugar is not only in sweets. It can be in baby snacks, cereals, yoghurts, drinks, fruit purees and some liquid medicines. NHS guidance is to avoid adding sugar to food and drinks, to check labels for terms like sucrose, glucose and syrup, and to offer healthy snacks such as vegetables, fruit pieces and cheese. Ask for sugar-free versions of medicines where possible. Sweets and sugary foods are better kept for mealtimes than as snacks. It matters because frequency of sugar is what drives decay. Watch out for rewarding children with sweets, for dried fruit snacks that are sticky and for sugary drinks at night. A sticker chart can replace food rewards.

## 9. See a dentist early

NHS advice is to take your baby to the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears, or at least by their first birthday, and then regularly. NHS dental care is free for children in the UK, though arrangements vary between nations. An early visit gets your child used to the dentist, and the dentist can check teeth, give advice on brushing, diet and fluoride and spot any problems. It matters because habits and attitudes form early. Watch out for waiting until there is a problem, for passing on your own dental fears and for assuming the dentist only treats adults. If you cannot find an NHS practice taking children, contact your local integrated care board or NHS England for help, or ask NHS 111.

## 10. Know when to get help

Seek advice from a dentist if you notice white or brown spots or holes in the teeth, swelling of the gum or face, bleeding that does not stop, a tooth that has been knocked out or damaged, or if your baby is in pain, off their food or has a high temperature. Falls are common when babies start to crawl and walk, and a knock to the mouth may loosen or discolour a tooth, so get it checked. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back. Call NHS 111 if you cannot reach a dentist, and seek emergency help for swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, a head injury or heavy bleeding. Trust your instincts if you are worried.

## A simple daily routine

A routine keeps things easy. After the last feed or drink at night, clean your baby's teeth with a smear of fluoride toothpaste, then settle them with no more food or drink except a sip of water if needed. In the morning or at another convenient time, brush again. Keep brushing short, gentle and cheerful, let your baby hold a second brush and make it part of a bedtime story. Offer water with meals. Check the gums and teeth for marks every week or two by lifting the lip. Keep the dentist's number saved. Consistency matters more than perfection, and a missed brush is not a disaster.

## Breastfeeding, bottles and teeth

Breast milk is the best food for babies and is not itself a cause of decay when teeth first appear, but any milk left to pool in the mouth during frequent night-time feeds after teeth have come through can contribute in some children, so brushing before bed is important. Formula-fed babies should have bottles phased out around their first birthday, and bottles should contain only milk or water. If you have concerns about feeding and teeth, talk to your health visitor or dentist, who can advise without judgement. Never stop breastfeeding because of teeth alone without discussing it, since the benefits are significant.

## Children's first dental visit: what to expect

A first visit is usually short and gentle. The dentist may let your child sit on your lap, count the teeth, look at the gums, and talk about brushing, diet and fluoride. They may apply fluoride varnish to older children, and they may take no X-rays. Prepare by reading a picture book, playing at dentists and keeping the tone positive. Bring any questions, and a list of any medicines. Many practices have child-friendly staff, and some hold sessions for families. If your child is upset, it does not matter. Visits get easier with repetition.

## Common worries from parents

Parents often worry about teeth that look crooked, gaps between baby teeth or a tooth that comes through behind another. Gaps are normal and help to make room for larger adult teeth, and a tooth in an unusual place often settles. A tooth that is knocked grey after a fall may need checking. White lines or patches can be a sign of early decay or of enamel that has formed unevenly, and a dentist can tell you which. Grinding at night is common in children and usually settles. Mention anything you are unsure of at your child's dental visit, because a quick look can save a lot of worry.

## Making brushing easier

Some babies and toddlers resist brushing. Try different positions, such as sitting on your lap facing away from you, or lying on a changing mat. Let your child hold their own brush as well so they feel in control, sing a short song to time it, and use a mirror. Brush at the same times every day. Praise and stickers help, but avoid food rewards. If your child clamps their mouth shut, stay calm and try again, and get brushing in where you can, because a few seconds is better than none. Ask your health visitor or dentist for tips if you are struggling.

## Key takeaways

Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, twice a day, with a smear of fluoride toothpaste of at least 1,000 ppm for children under three. Keep drinks to breast milk or formula, water and milk, avoid sugary drinks and bottles in bed, take your baby to the dentist early and seek advice for pain, swelling or injury. This is general information based on NHS guidance, not personal medical advice, so ask your health visitor or dentist.

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[Top 10 Oral Health Habits for Teenagers](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/top-10-oral-health-habits-for-teenagers-uk)

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[Children's Orthodontics UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/childrens-orthodontics-uk)

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### Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start brushing my baby's teeth?

NHS advice is to start as soon as the first tooth appears, brushing twice a day with a soft baby toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste, with one of the brushes just before bed.

How much toothpaste should I use for a baby?

A smear of toothpaste containing at least 1,000 ppm fluoride for children under three, and a pea-sized amount for ages three to six, according to NHS advice. Check the tube, and ask your dentist if unsure.

When do babies get their first teeth?

Often around six months, but it varies widely. Some babies get a tooth at three months and others after their first birthday. Mention it to a health visitor or dentist if there are none by around eighteen months.

What helps with teething?

Gentle gum rubbing with a clean finger, a cool clean teething ring and comfort often help. Ask a pharmacist before using gels or painkillers, and seek a check if there is a high fever, rash or other illness.

Are baby teeth important if they fall out anyway?

Yes. They help with chewing and speech, hold space for adult teeth, and decay in baby teeth can cause pain, infection and affect permanent teeth. Look after them from the first tooth.

When should my baby first see a dentist?

NHS advice is to take your baby when the first tooth appears or by their first birthday, then regularly. NHS dental care for children is free, though arrangements vary between the UK nations.

Can my baby have a bottle in bed?

Only water. Milk or sugary drinks that pool around the teeth overnight can cause severe decay. Clean teeth before bed and avoid further food or drink afterwards except water.

When should my child stop using a dummy?

Many dental professionals advise stopping by around a year or soon after, because long-term use can affect how teeth and jaws develop. Never dip a dummy in sugar or honey, and ask your health visitor or dentist for help.

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Citation details

Title Top 10 Things to Know About Your Baby's First Teeth (UK)

Publisher Virtual Consultant Online

Published 2026-10-17

Updated 2026-10-17

URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/guides/top-10-things-to-know-about-babies-first-teeth-uk](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/guides/top-10-things-to-know-about-babies-first-teeth-uk)