When it comes to your child’s dental health, there are a couple important things to keep in mind. Potentially, your child can begin to develop dental problems even before their first teeth erupt. On the other hand, the good news is that with some very basic care and regular dental checkups, these problems can largely be avoided.
Let’s begin by considering tooth decay – which is weakened or damaged areas of the enamel, the tooth’s hard outer surface. When you eat or drink, naturally occurring bacteria found in the mouth feed on the sugars and create an acidic byproduct. These acids can attack and weaken the enamel – especially if the teeth are not regularly cleaned according to ADA recommendations. While it may seem surprising, this care should start before a baby’s first tooth appears.
Infant Care
Proper dental care begins before the appearance of your child’s first tooth, and these are some of the things you should know and do during the first months of your baby’s life.
- First, do not underestimate the importance of your child’s baby teeth. These first teeth not only help your child eat, but without them, your child would not develop proper speech patterns. They’re also important for reserving space in the jaw for the eruption and proper alignment of their permanent teeth.
- Parents often ask, “Why do I need to worry about my child getting cavities, after all, won’t those baby teeth just fall out?” Yes, they will all eventually fall out, but the last baby tooth is not lost until around the age of 12, so keeping the primary dentition intact and healthy until that time is very important.
- After feeding with formula or breast milk, even before your baby begins teething, clear away harmful bacteria by running a clean, damp washcloth over your child’s gums..
- Make certain to remove your baby’s bottle from their mouth before they fall asleep. Doing this prevents prolonged exposure to the sugars in formula or breast milk and helps prevent bacteria from producing the acids that contribute to what is called baby-bottle tooth decay.
- Be mindful of how much fruit juice you offer your child – unless the label says 100% fruit juice, most of these are just water, with a very small amount of juice flavoring and a lot of added sugar. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving children ages 1–6 no more than ½ to ¾ cup of 100% fruit juice a day.
- Most baby teeth begin pushing through the gums right around six months of age. Baby teeth do not erupt all at once, but come in gradually during the first few years of life. Children have a total of 20 baby teeth, and the last ones usually erupt between 2 and 3 years old.
- When your baby gets their first teeth, brush them with an infant toothbrush, which is designed especially for little mouths and sensitive gum tissue. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using a small amount of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. You should also begin gently flossing between any two teeth that touch.
- Lastly, as you ensure your little one gets off to a good start, make sure you don’t neglect your own dental hygiene – take especially good care of your teeth and gums. Saliva contains bacteria that can contribute to tooth decay. so it’s very important to keep your teeth and mouth healthy – it makes you less likely to transfer these bacteria to your baby.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
To prevent future dental problems and establish a life-long dental care routine, the ADA recommends that your child sees a dentist before their first birthday. The dentist will conduct a modified exam and demonstrate correct brushing and flossing techniques.
These first dental visits can help find problems early on and also get your child accustomed to coming to the dentist regularly. Make sure to schedule follow-up appointments every six months.. A good way to ensure your child enjoys these first trips to the dentist is to plan something especially fun following your child’s appointment. A trip to the playground, visiting your child’s favorite book store, or taking in a movie matinee, can make a visit to the dentist something your child associates with fun.
Pediatric Dentistry at Lincoln Square
Hopefully, you’ll find this information helpful, and we’re equally hopeful that when it’s time for your child’s first dental checkup, you’ll choose Cornerstone Dental for quality family dentistry in Lincoln Square. We specialize in making young patients feel comfortable during every visit to our dental office, and have earned a reputation for excellence among pediatric dentists. Call today to learn more or schedule an appointment at our state-of-the-art dental practice.
