Posts Tagged ‘children’s dentist’

Your newborn baby already has teeth, although you can’t see them.  They are sitting just below the gum line.  These “baby teeth”, which give your infant a great smile and allow the pleasures of chewing food or speaking more clearly, also help guide the permanent teeth into place.  How soon do you need to start caring for your infant’s teeth? Just as soon as you see them!

• Start by gently cleaning your infant’s gums and tongue daily.  Use a clean wet washcloth to remove excess bacteria and formula or food residue.  This daily regimen will become comfortable for your baby and prepare him for dental exams later on.
• As you see the first teeth erupt, move on to a child’s extra soft toothbrush. Replace with a new toothbrush every few months. 
• Use water (no toothpaste) on the toothbrush in the beginning.  Children should not swallow toothpaste.  Add toothpaste, pressed firmly into the bristles of the toothbrush, once they have mastered the “art of spitting.”
• As more teeth appear, the spaces between teeth will close and it is time to begin flossing.  Make a game of it, moving the floss up and down between the teeth (not back and forth, like shining your shoes).
• Don’t send your child to bed or a nap with a bottle or sippy cup.  Sugars, found naturally in formula, milk, and juice can coat the teeth and lead to decay. 
• Once children can assist with dressing, it is time to learn how to brush their own teeth.  Make sure you know the right way to brush, and show her.  Tell him about good oral health and why we want to take care of our teeth.  Be a good role model – Make sure you brush daily after eating and floss!  Children should be supervised until they can master the job themselves, usually about age 7.
• Emphasize healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables. Your child’s developing body, including their teeth and gums, requires a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Limit sweets to mealtimes; try diluting fruit juices, and avoid sticky foods. Sugary foods, especially when eaten as snacks between meals, can lead to tooth decay.  Sugar increases the growth of mouth bacteria.  These bacteria produce acid that can damage the teeth and lead to cavities.
• Don’t forget about the tongue and gums!  Check for signs of gingivitis such as swollen, red or bleeding gums, or bad breath.  Healthy teeth and gums require a diet rich in calcium and Vitamins C and D.  If your children are not getting enough in their diet, talk with your health care provider about vitamin supplements.
• Schedule you child’s first preventive dental visit once the teeth have appeared, usually at about one year of age.  Children’s dental care can be comfortable when they are familiar with the dentist and the dental examination. 
• Please don’t wait for a toothache before visiting the dentist.  Delaying dental treatment until there is pain may lead to lifelong dental avoidance and distress.  Many adults with dental anxiety report unpleasant experiences at the dentist when they were young. You can avoid dental anxiety later on if you seek regular preventive care from a dentist who is calm, friendly, gentle and produces excellent results. 
• Should your child see a pediatric dentist (pedodontist) or a family dentist?  That depends on the dentist!  It is the skill and manner of the dentist, as well as their experience and expertise, that will help shape your child’s attitude for years to come.  If you have a good relationship with your family dentist, and he or she is comfortable with children and experienced in all aspects of children’s dentistry, your family dentist may be an ideal choice.  Seek out reviews and recommendations if you are insure, and make the first visit to the dentist a positive one.
• If you and your dentist are comfortable with this suggestion, consider bringing your young child with you to your next preventive dental visit.  You are their best role model.  When your toddler sees that your dental visits are pain-free, your child’s dental check-ups will be much less stressful.  And if your own visits are not comfortable, consider changing dentists!
• If you and your child both feel relaxed, the experience will be a positive one.  Your children will enjoy visiting their dentist and you will LOVE their smile!

Next Chapter:  Dental Health for the School Age Child