Caring for your new baby’s teeth can be a little overwhelming at first! After all, you probably don’t remember what your parents did for you when you were a child, and even if you do, a lot has likely changed since then. Thankfully, promoting a lifetime of excellent oral health is easy when you start early.
Here are 5 important facts and guidelines for protecting your new baby’s smile for day one and beyond!
Tooth Timetable
Though most babies are born with no visible teeth, their baby teeth are already waiting just below the gums to emerge. This will begin around six months of age and continue until they have received all their baby teeth, at around three years old.
Fluoride Facts
Fluoride is an essential element of keeping your child’s teeth healthy and strong. The good news is that even if your baby isn’t ready to use fluoridated toothpaste just yet, there is fluoride in most public water supplies in the United States. Thus, when you give your child a bottle of water, they are already benefiting from this important mineral. If your local water supply is not fluoridated, speak to your dentist about adding a fluoride supplement to your baby’s diet to help safeguard their tooth enamel as they grow.
Accessories to Avoid
In recent years, some parents have invested in items like amber necklaces that supposedly help ease teething pain. However, these have been found to be a choking hazard for babies and young children and should be avoided.
Furthermore, young children should also avoid the use of numbing medications that contain belladonna or benzocaine, as these have been found to have dangerous side effects for little ones, too.
Teething Tricks
To ease teething discomfort, there are many tried-and-true things you can implement to help. Massaging baby’s gums with your finger from birth, letting your child chew on a cold, damp facecloth or teething ring, or the occasional dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen can all help. Be sure to check with your child’s pediatrician for accurate dosage information with any medication, including over-the-counter pain relievers.
Dental Details
Finally, you should schedule your child’s first dental appointment as soon as their first tooth emerges, at approximately 6 months of age, or by their first birthday. Even if your baby only has one or a few teeth, this will help them establish a “dental home” and get them comfortable with visiting the dentist. It will also help your dentist get to know your child and familiarize themselves with their unique oral health needs as well as ensure that there are no issues with their tooth development.
Remember, setting your baby up for a lifetime of excellent oral health begins at birth. To protect their beautiful smile, be sure to begin caring for their teeth and gums at the first sign of eruption and get them onto a regular routine for hygiene from the start.
About Our Practice
At Kids Dentistry of Chesterfield, Dr. Homer Sedighi and Dr. Jessica Martin are proud to have helped decades of children protect their smiles and promote a lifetime of excellent oral health.
If you have a new baby who is beginning to teethe, now is the time to start caring for their teeth and gums. To schedule a preventive exam and get to know our dentists and team, please visit our website and call us today at 636-777-7777.