As soon as your child gets a tooth, it is good to take the child to see a pediatric dentist. Even one tooth is at risk of getting a cavity. The good news is that there are ways of preventing cavities in babies. Read on to learn more.
Even before a baby’s first tooth comes through, a parent should be providing oral care. A baby’s teeth start to form in the mother’s second trimester. When the baby is born, they already have 20 primary, or baby, teeth. Some of these teeth are fully formed but have not yet broken through.
Before the baby’s teeth come through, parents should gently move a damp washcloth over the baby’s gums. This can remove bacteria from the mouth. This should be done after every feeding, if possible. When the teeth come in, parents should brush the teeth using a toothbrush for infants. Parents can use fluoride toothpaste, but only a piece the size of a grain of rice. This can prevent the baby from swallowing any.
As soon as a baby has two touching teeth, parents should floss them. Once a baby is two, the child should spit after brushing the teeth. However, children should not yet have water to swish in the mouth. This makes it more likely that they will swallow the toothpaste.
Babies are very susceptible to tooth decay. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, tooth decay is one of the most common childhood conditions. When a baby goes to sleep with a bottle, the teeth can quickly decay. Formula, milk and juice all contain sugars that can stay on the teeth. This can cause the enamel to decay.
This condition is known as baby bottle tooth decay. The front teeth can become pocked, discolored or pitted. A baby is more susceptible to cavities when this has happened. Sometimes, these teeth will need to be extracted. A simple solution is for parents to brush the baby’s teeth after meals. Babies should not have beverages after the teeth have been brushed for the night.
Once a child is about six months old, the child can use a cup with a straw. Sometimes, this is known as a sippy cup. Using this type of cup will make it less likely for a liquid to remain around the child’s teeth. The child will be sitting up to drink instead of laying back. When a child is a year old, the child will be able to manage the bottle by themselves.
A child’s first visit to the pediatric dentist should happen when the children are six months old. This is when the teeth begin to erupt. A pediatric dentist can check the teeth to see that they are healthy. You can also learn the right way to care for your child’s teeth by watching the pediatric dentist clean the baby’s teeth.
Request an appointment here: https://pediatric-dental-arts.com or call Pediatric Dental Arts at (617) 924-1911 for an appointment in our Watertown office.
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