Even before your child was born, tooth buds were already beginning to develop. Usually, a baby will get its first tooth in about three months but do not be alarmed if it doesn’t come in before he/she is a year old. Usually, it will take 2-3 years for your child to develop a full set of teeth.

By the time your child is 2-3 years old, he or she should have a full set of baby teeth, also known as primary teeth. As your child’s facial bones and jaw continue to grow, spaces appear to allow the permanent teeth to come in. Usually, the baby teeth start to fall out at ages 6-7 and the permanent teeth begin to appear.

This is nothing to worry about. It is perfectly normal for the permanent teeth to appear darker, or more yellow, than the baby teeth. This is because the deciduous (baby) teeth have less dentin than the permanent teeth. Dentin is yellow and it shows through the enamel. Once the permanent teeth have fully erupted, the yellowish shade will be considerably less apparent.

First, stay calm. Your child is likely to be upset and you do not want to make matters worse. If it is a baby tooth, you probably will not even need to see a dentist. Just make sure that the child rinses out his or her mouth and if there seems to be a fair bit of bleeding, apply a cold compress.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out, you will need to take your child to the dentist. If you do so immediately, it may be possible to re-attach the tooth. Rinse it gently using water. If the child is able, have him or her hold the tooth in place. If this is not possible, put it in a container of milk and contact your dentist office immediately.

Contact your child’s dentist immediately. If the tooth is broken and you can find the missing fragment, bring it with you to the dentist office – it may be possible to bond it back into place. If the tooth is wiggly or seems like it is out of place, you should also take your child to see the dentist, in order to make sure that there is no damage to the gum or underlying jaw structure.

Most of the time, a child does not have to be sedated. However, if the procedure is going to be complex and time-consuming, or if the child is very young, or very nervous, sedation may be recommended. Most of the time, parents are far more apprehensive about their child’s dental work than the child is, so if you do not communicate your anxiety to your child, chances are he or she will not be afraid of the dentist. If sedation is needed though, your dentist can offer a variety of safe options.

In order to ensure a lifetime of dental health, your child should see the dentist before his or her first birthday. At the very least, you should not wait more than six months after the first tooth appears.

At 2-3 years of age, your child should begin using a fluoridated toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Earlier, you can brush their teeth using just water, or a non-fluoridated paste and a soft brush. A pea-sized amount of paste sufficient and you should make sure that your child spits out the toothpaste instead of swallowing it.

You can begin brushing as soon as the teeth appear.