All topics
Published on March 18, 2026 at 11:20

Good dental hygiene begins at a very young age, sometimes even before the first tooth appears. The arrival of those first little teeth is an exciting milestone for parents and marks the start of a daily dental care routine. However, it is best to focus on gradual, playful learning rather than a strict or performance-driven approach to dental care.

First teeth

A baby’s mouth should be kept clean and free of bacteria from birth. It is recommended to gently wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, soft, damp cloth after each feeding.

As soon as the first teeth appear, brushing can be introduced as a fun ritual or game to help build healthy habits early in life. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a very small amount of toothpaste to clean properly.

Consistency is far more important than perfection.

The family dental care routine

Parents play an essential role in encouraging children to cooperate with daily brushing. As adults, they serve as role models, and children naturally imitate them. Brushing teeth together can simply become a shared family moment, with everyone brushing at the same time.

To make the routine more enjoyable, you can play music, tell a short story or use a timer so your child can visually measure brushing time.

The goal is to encourage your child to take an active role in their dental routine in a positive and cheerful atmosphere.

Nutrition

What children eat and drink also affects their oral health. Frequent consumption of acidic beverages and sugary foods can damage teeth. On the other hand, a balanced diet and proper hydration help strengthen teeth and reduce the risk of cavities.

Since many children have a sweet tooth, balance is essential without completely forbidding these types of foods or drinks.

Education remains the key to helping children make healthy food choices.

The first visit to the dentist

The first dental visit should generally take place when the first teeth appear or around the age of one. This allows the child to gradually become familiar with the dental office and gives parents the opportunity to ensure that teeth are developing properly.

To encourage a positive experience, explain the appointment using simple words so your child feels reassured. The dentist should be presented as an ally who takes care of their teeth, not as a punishment.

Learning dental care habits

Children should brush their teeth every day, ideally after each meal. At first, brushing is done entirely by parents, but as children grow, they gradually become more independent. During the transition, parents can start brushing while the child finishes, or vice versa. Supervision remains necessary throughout this learning period.

Encouraging your child and recognizing their efforts, without focusing on perfection, helps them gradually take responsibility for their dental hygiene. Parents can expect occasional forgetfulness and brushing that is not always thorough, but this is simply part of the learning process.

From early childhood, teaching children that oral health is just as important as overall health helps them care for their mouths and teeth, develop healthy hygiene habits and integrate these simple actions into their daily routine.

Brushing children’s teeth is a learning process that begins early and lasts a lifetime!

Text written in collaboration with Vie de Parents.

The drugs and pharmaceutical services featured on the familiprix.com website are offered by pharmacists who own the affiliated pharmacies at Familiprix. The information contained on the familiprix.com site is for informational purposes only and does not in any way replace the advice and advice of your pharmacist or any other health professional. Always consult a health professional before taking or discontinuing medication or making any other decision. Familiprix inc. and the proprietary pharmacists affiliated with Familiprix do not engage in any way by making this information available on this website.