TRICARE, Your Military Health Plan

In This Section:

• Pregnancy Care
• Dental Care During Your Pregnancy
• Getting TRICARE For Your Baby
• Newborn & Well-Child Care
• Dental Care for Newborns and Toddlers
• Maternity and Parenting Resources

Dental Care for Newborns & Toddlers

Dental problems can begin even before your baby's first teeth come in, so you should begin cleaning your baby's gums right away. Use a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water.

Schedule your child's first visit to a pediatric dentist when his or her first tooth appears, usually between six months to a year old. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends all children have a dental exam by their first birthday. Your child's dentist will schedule regular cleanings and check ups to make sure your child's mouth stays healthy.

As soon as the teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice a-day using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. For ages less than two, use only a "smear" of toothpaste to brush your baby's teeth.

The most common problem you want to prevent is "early childhood caries" (also known as baby bottle tooth decay). To prevent early childhood caries, give your child water in his or her bottle at bedtime instead of milk or juice. The acids in milk or juice can break down tooth enamel overnight and lead to tooth decay.

For children age 2-5, you should increase the toothpaste to a "pea-sized" amount. Children will often want to brush their own teeth, but you should supervise and help them brush hard to reach places. Help your child floss daily to get loose food particles stuck between teeth. Talk to your child's dentist or oral hygienist if you have any questions.

TRICARE Dental Options
Based on your sponsor's status, you may enroll your child at any time in the TRICARE Dental Program or the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program.

Last Modified:March 7, 2012