September marks Baby Safety Month, when families and pediatric professionals nationwide focus on preventing injuries and building healthy routines. At Little Smiles in Washington, Dardenne Prairie, and Hazelwood, we use this month to spotlight one milestone that often gets overlooked: a baby’s first dental visit. Led by Dr. Carly Boudreaux, our Turning 1 Campaign in Hazelwood encourages parents to prioritize oral health by age one. 

Around this time, babies begin teething, crawling, and exploring their world in new ways, which brings both rapid development and added safety risks. We use this opportunity to help families focus on early prevention—especially in oral care, nutrition, and home safety—when the habits that shape a child’s long-term health truly begin.

First Tooth, First Visit, Major Milestone

New parents love marking milestones, and a baby’s first dental visit should be one of them. Our Turning 1 Campaign in Hazelwood helps families establish a dental home by age one, as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends. Many parents delay, assuming baby teeth don’t matter, but these tiny teeth are key to eating, speaking, and smiling. At Little Smiles, we use the first visit to ease anxiety, check developing teeth, and guide parents on brushing, teething, and nutrition. We also help prevent issues like baby bottle tooth decay by addressing habits early.

Baby Safety Basics Parents Often Overlook

Parents work hard to keep their babies safe, but even the most attentive households can miss key risks. During Baby Safety Month, our staff shares reminders about commonly overlooked areas, especially those that affect oral development and injury prevention.

Look through this list and see where your home or routine could use a quick safety upgrade:

• Keep pacifiers clean and avoid dipping them in sweet substances
• Store toothpaste and mouthwash out of reach to avoid accidental ingestion
• Use baby gates on stairs and soft bumpers on sharp table corners
• Always supervise babies in high chairs, even with straps secured
• Avoid letting your child nap with a bottle of milk or juice
• Never leave teething rings in the freezer long enough to become hard
• Use rear-facing car seats until age two or the maximum weight limit
• Monitor toy parts for choking hazards and check for age-appropriate labeling
  

A Peek Inside Your Baby’s First Dental Visit

When you bring your baby in for a first dental appointment, the experience should feel supportive, not stressful. Our pediatric dental team knows how to make children feel comfortable while making parents feel confident. The visit usually takes less than 30 minutes, but opens the door to a lifetime of healthy habits.

Here’s what our dentists typically include in a Turning 1 visit:

• A gentle examination of the teeth, gums, jaw, and bite
• A short cleaning to remove plaque or food particles
• Education for parents on teething, pacifiers, thumb-sucking, and diet
• Customized tips on brushing and flossing techniques
• Answers to questions about fluoride and dental product choices
  

Set a Routine with Baby’s First Tooth

Good habits stick best when families build them early. We recommend daily, delicate brushing as soon as that first tooth erupts. Quick routines can build healthy habits one day at a time.

Use these tips to build consistent oral hygiene habits for babies and toddlers:

• Brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice daily
• Use a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste
• Avoid fruit juice in bottles or sippy cups throughout the day
• Wipe gums with a damp cloth if no teeth are present yet
• Schedule regular visits every six months after the first appointment
  

Pediatric Dental Emergencies Start with Prevention

Babies bump their mouths more often than you might expect. Babies are always on the move, which means bumps and slips are bound to happen. Crawling into furniture, tipping out of high chairs—these little accidents can lead to chipped teeth or swollen gums. Our dentists want parents to trust their instincts and know when something looks off. Catching a dental injury early can make all the difference. We provide pediatric dental services for common dental injuries including:

• Chipped or dislodged baby teeth
• Lip and tongue lacerations
• Swollen gums from trauma
• Infection from untreated decay

Turning 1 Campaign in Hazelwood

At Little Smiles, we keep things simple, honest, and kid-friendly. Dr. Corey Hastings, Dr. Carly Boudreaux, Dr. Jaime Orrick, Dr. James Lee, Dr. Conrad Parks, and Dr. Zay Hussam don’t just check teeth—they help build healthy habits from the first visit. Using the Tell, Show, Do method, we walk kids through each step so they know what to expect and feel proud of taking care of their smile. With offices in Washington, Hazelwood, and Dardenne Prairie, we’re close to home and easy to reach. Flexible financing helps families focus on what matters most: giving their child a safe, healthy start. Contact us for an appointment and see how we make dental visits something to look forward to.