Infant Oral Care and Teething in Asheville, NC
Infant oral care and teething can bring new questions as your baby starts chewing, drooling, or showing a first tooth. Good care starts even before teeth appear, and a few simple habits now set the stage for healthy baby teeth.
5 Stars“Amazing pediatric dentist!! Dr. Dan is great and patient with the kids. All the staff are amazing and sweet.. my son has ADHD so he can be talkative and hyper and they still are patient and funny with him.. 10/10 recommend”Felica A.
5 Stars“Fantastic! Super charming, professional, efficient. My nervous little hypochondriac went in there terrified, and the calm, cool staff at BR pediatric dentistry set her at ease and pulled two teeth in what felt like seconds. Lovely miniature train set, as well! 10/10 would recommend!!!”Jeffrey S.
5 Stars“My boys are 5 & 7 so we have years of experience with Doctor Dan and his staff. We moved to Black Mountain 4 years ago but it’s worth the drive for our children to have a good dental experience. Always a great atmosphere, everyone goes above and beyond to make sure our children feel safe and comfortable. Doctor Dan not only did our sons dental surgery but also personally reached out to us to check on our son after he had surgery! That meant a lot! Great place, Maggie is just the cherry on top🐾”Jolea E.
As a father of three and a pediatric dentist since 2008, Dr. Dan Knechtel understands teething from both sides. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and is a member of the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and his guidance on cleaning, teething relief, and fluoride toothpaste follows current pediatric dental recommendations. When your baby is ready, he will see them for an age one visit and help you build a routine that works at home.
Teething can make for some long nights. A clean, cool teething ring and a little patience usually do more good than anything on the store shelf.
— Dr. Dan Knechtel
Start Oral Care Before the First Tooth
Oral care begins before teeth appear. Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth or gauze. Choose a calm moment and use gentle pressure so mouth care can become a familiar part of your baby’s routine.
Baby teeth need attention as soon as they emerge. Primary teeth support chewing and speech and help hold space for permanent teeth. Decay can affect these teeth, so starting daily care early matters even though they will eventually fall out.
Recognize Teething and Know When to Seek Help
Teething is the process of teeth coming through the gums. It often begins during the first year, although timing varies. Drooling, a desire to chew, tender gums, and temporary fussiness can occur as a tooth approaches the surface.
A high fever, significant illness, or a baby who seems unusually unwell should not be assumed to be teething. Contact your child’s medical provider about those symptoms. Seek dental advice if you notice mouth swelling, an injured tooth, or a change in a tooth’s color rather than treating the problem as ordinary teething.
Choose Gentle Ways to Ease Teething Discomfort
Gentle gum massage with a clean finger may ease tender gums. A clean, cool teething object can also offer comfort. Choose an intact product intended for chewing, follow its directions, and supervise your baby while it is in use.
Avoid frozen-hard objects, teething jewelry, and products with loose pieces that could pose choking risks. Do not use numbing gels or other teething medicines without guidance from a health professional. If discomfort interferes with feeding or seems persistent, contact your child’s medical provider rather than repeatedly trying new products.
Build Brushing and Feeding Habits That Protect Teeth
Once a tooth appears, begin brushing with a small, soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You should handle brushing and control the toothpaste amount rather than relying on your baby to brush or spit. Ask a dental professional which amount is appropriate for your child’s age and development.
Frequent exposure to sugary foods and drinks can contribute to tooth decay. Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle, and keep sweet drinks from becoming something your child sips over long periods. Consider both what your baby drinks and how often the teeth are exposed when reviewing feeding habits.
Plan the First Dental Visit
A first dental visit is generally recommended by the first birthday or within six months after the first tooth appears. An early visit gives a dental professional an opportunity to look at oral development, check for concerns, and discuss prevention. We offer age-one dental visits at Blue Ridge Pediatric Dentistry in Asheville.
Before an appointment, note when teeth began appearing, any symptoms you have noticed, and the brushing and feeding routines you use. Bring questions about toothpaste, teething products, and changes in the gums or teeth. If a concern develops before a planned visit, contact a dental or medical professional rather than waiting for the routine appointment.
Why Choose Blue Ridge Pediatric Dentistry for Early Oral Care?
New parents often have more questions than their baby has teeth. We take time to show you how to clean your baby’s gums and first teeth, which teething remedies are safe, and how much toothpaste to use.
When your child turns one, that guidance carries straight into their first dental visit with Dr. Dan Knechtel, so the routines you start now become the foundation for years of healthy checkups.
Questions About Infant Oral Care and Teething
Extra drooling can occur with teething, but it does not reliably predict when a tooth will emerge. Look for changes in the gums and chewing behavior without assuming that every new symptom is caused by teething.
You can gently clean your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth or gauze before teeth appear. Begin brushing with a small, soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste once a tooth emerges.
A high fever should not be attributed to teething. Contact your child’s medical provider, especially if your baby also seems unwell, feeds poorly, or has other concerning symptoms.
A cool teething object is preferable to one that is frozen hard, which can injure tender gums. Follow the product’s directions, check it for damage, and supervise your baby during use.
Most babies get their first tooth, usually a lower front tooth, between about 6 and 12 months of age, although some are earlier or later. Most children have all 20 baby teeth by about age three.
The FDA warns against benzocaine teething gels for children under two and against teething necklaces and bracelets because of choking and strangulation risks. A clean, chilled teething ring or gentle gum massage is a safer choice.
Plan Infant Oral Care in Asheville, NC
Contact Blue Ridge Pediatric Dentistry to discuss infant oral care and teething in Asheville, NC, or to request an age-one dental visit. Bring your questions about emerging teeth, daily mouth care, and starting preventive dental care for your child.
Medically reviewed by Dan Knechtel, DDS on
