A parent’s primary concern is for their child’s safety and good health. You take your infant to a pediatrician for well-baby visits, inoculations to protect them from numerous illnesses, and follow their guidance from safe-guarding your home to what to feed your child. But many parents don’t realize the dental health of their child is also critical. A visit with a pediatric dentist is recommended for the child at the age of twelve months for a dental exam and instructions on the best way to care for your child’s dental health as they age.
Your baby’s teeth form in the womb with those first teeth starting to erupt anywhere from three to six months of age. Wiping baby teeth with a soft cloth after feeding is all that is needed initially.
You may be tempted to put your baby to bed with a bottle of formula, milk, or juice; but plaque can form on baby teeth especially if your child falls asleep with a sugary beverage clinging to their teeth. If you want to give your baby a bottle for bed time, make sure to provide water only at this time.
While those baby teeth will eventually fall out to be replaced with permanent teeth, the primary teeth are paving the way for teeth expected to last a lifetime. Keeping baby teeth healthy is important so following a daily regimen while your child is a toddler will hopefully continue to follow them for life.
Brushing your toddler’s teeth with an age appropriate paste and a soft bristle brush every day coupled with visits to the pediatric dentist every six months will instill the habits that are important to your child’s dental health. Do not use a fluoridated toothpaste until your child has mastered the ability to spit following brushing.
As your child grows, your assistance as well as monitoring teeth brushing will be necessary to not only make sure they are brushing, but they are doing it correctly and sufficiently.
Regular dental visits will allow for fluoride treatments, if needed. And molar teeth not affected by dental decay can be treated with sealants … a protective coating that penetrates the pits normally found on the surface of teeth to prevent dental decay.
Your child’s dental health can impact their overall well-being so do everything you can to safeguard both. Contact us today at (972) 218-0078 to get more tips!
