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Everything parents need to know about children's dental health: from the first tooth through adolescence, with expert advice from our Cali clinic.
Dental Health Begins with the First Tooth
The first baby teeth (deciduous teeth) are fundamental for speech development, chewing, and guiding permanent teeth. Although they will eventually fall out, cavities in baby teeth can cause pain, infections, and affect the available space for permanent teeth. Taking good care of them is a lifelong health investment for your child.
When to Take Your Child to the Dentist for the First Time?
The international recommendation is: as soon as the first tooth appears or before the first year of life. An early visit allows:
- Detecting problems from the start (malformations, eruption alterations)
- Educating parents about children's dental hygiene
- Establishing positive habits from an early age — "fear of the dentist" decreases with regular early visits
Dental Hygiene by Stage
Babies (0–2 years)
- Before teeth: clean gums with a damp gauze after each feeding
- With the first teeth: soft infant toothbrush (without toothpaste or with a minimal amount of fluoride toothpaste)
- Don't let the baby fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice
Young Children (2–6 years)
- Fluoride toothpaste in "rice grain" amount (up to age 3) or "lentil grain" (ages 3–6)
- Parents should supervise or perform brushing — children's motor coordination is not fully developed
- Introduce dental floss when two teeth are in contact
Older Children and Teens (6–14+ years)
- Adult toothpaste (1450 ppm fluoride) in "pea-sized" amount
- Reinforce brushing technique and flossing
- Monitor eruption of permanent teeth and possible need for early orthodontics
Dental Sealants: Effective Prevention
Sealants are resins applied to the grooves of molars — the areas where cavities most accumulate. At Dental Care Norte we recommend applying them as soon as the first permanent molars erupt (around ages 6–7). They reduce the risk of cavities in these teeth by up to 80%.
How to Prevent Fear of the Dentist
- Start early: First visits, without invasive procedures, create a positive experience
- Speak positively about the dentist at home — avoid phrases like "it won't hurt" that create anticipation of pain
- Choose a child-friendly clinic: At Dental Care Norte our team is trained to work with children
- Be consistent: Regular visits (every 6 months) demystify the dental office
Warning Signs in Children
Consult us soon if your child has:
- White or brown spots on teeth — sign of active cavities
- Pain when eating or sensitivity
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Teeth that don't fall out at the expected age or permanent teeth that don't erupt
- Finger or pacifier sucking habit after age 3
Children's oral health at Dental Care Norte, CC Chipichape, Cali — book your child's first visit today.