Your child’s first tooth is a big developmental milestone, so it’s important for you to know what to expect and how to maintain your child’s teeth when they start coming in. It’s just as vital to take care of baby teeth as it is permanent teeth, even though the baby teeth eventually fall out. Improper dental hygiene can set your child up for oral complications early on, as well as poor dental hygiene habits down the road, including more severe oral issues. Be sure to look for the signs that their baby teeth are coming in and take the proper steps to keeping them healthy.

Eruption of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth typically erupt in the lower front teeth region, with most children obtaining all their baby teeth by three years old. For some children, this timeline varies. Some may not experience their first erupted baby tooth until their first birthday.

Teething
Teething is an indicator that your child’s baby teeth are coming in, and is usually accompanied by slight discomfort, excessive drooling, and swollen or tender gums. Some tips to remember when teething begins include:

(Click for LARGER IMAGE)

  • Massage your child’s gums with a clean finger to ease some discomfort.
  • Offer a solid, not liquid-filled, teething ring (can be frozen).
  • Offer a clean, frozen, or wet washcloth.
  • Offer a teething biscuit, but be sure to monitor your child while they eat it.
  • If discomfort persists, talk to your child’s pediatrician about a safe dose of liquid acetaminophen.
  • Avoid teething tablets that contain belladonna and benzocaine gel, as these substances can be potentially toxic to your child.
  • Never use a teething necklace, as your child will be at risk for strangulation or choking.

Proper Oral Hygiene
Once your child’s first tooth comes in, you will need to begin an oral hygiene routine with them. The process slightly changes as they grow, so some helpful tips include:

  • Brushing twice a day with a grain-of-rice-sized dollop of fluoride toothpaste, especially after consuming foods or beverages.
  • Refrain from letting your child go to bed with a bottle since this can lead to tooth decay.
  • When your child turns three years old, you may increase fluoride toothpaste to a pea-sized amount when brushing.
  • When your child is at the developmental stage where they can spit, teach them to spit out the excess toothpaste after brushing.
  • It’s recommended that the parent place the toothpaste on their child’s toothbrush until they reach six years of age.
  • Parents should monitor and assist their child while brushing until they reach seven or eight years old.

Importance of Fluoride
Fluoride is an essential mineral for preventing tooth decay, as it works to harden the enamel of the teeth. Fluoride is often found in tap water, rarely ever bottled, so it’s a good idea to give your child tap water when they begin eating solid foods. If you feel that your child is not consuming enough fluoride, talk to your pediatric dentist about fluoride supplements.

Pediatric Dentistry
Related Articles

Share This Article, Choose Your Platform!

Your child’s first tooth is a big developmental milestone, so it’s important for you to know what to expect and how to maintain your child’s teeth when they start coming in. It’s just as vital to take care of baby teeth as it is permanent teeth, even though the baby teeth eventually fall out. Improper dental hygiene can set your child up for oral complications early on, as well as poor dental hygiene habits down the road, including more severe oral issues. Be sure to look for the signs that their baby teeth are coming in and take the proper steps to keeping them healthy.

Eruption of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth typically erupt in the lower front teeth region, with most children obtaining all their baby teeth by three years old. For some children, this timeline varies. Some may not experience their first erupted baby tooth until their first birthday.

Teething
Teething is an indicator that your child’s baby teeth are coming in, and is usually accompanied by slight discomfort, excessive drooling, and swollen or tender gums. Some tips to remember when teething begins include:

(Click for LARGER IMAGE)

  • Massage your child’s gums with a clean finger to ease some discomfort.
  • Offer a solid, not liquid-filled, teething ring (can be frozen).
  • Offer a clean, frozen, or wet washcloth.
  • Offer a teething biscuit, but be sure to monitor your child while they eat it.
  • If discomfort persists, talk to your child’s pediatrician about a safe dose of liquid acetaminophen.
  • Avoid teething tablets that contain belladonna and benzocaine gel, as these substances can be potentially toxic to your child.
  • Never use a teething necklace, as your child will be at risk for strangulation or choking.

Proper Oral Hygiene
Once your child’s first tooth comes in, you will need to begin an oral hygiene routine with them. The process slightly changes as they grow, so some helpful tips include:

  • Brushing twice a day with a grain-of-rice-sized dollop of fluoride toothpaste, especially after consuming foods or beverages.
  • Refrain from letting your child go to bed with a bottle since this can lead to tooth decay.
  • When your child turns three years old, you may increase fluoride toothpaste to a pea-sized amount when brushing.
  • When your child is at the developmental stage where they can spit, teach them to spit out the excess toothpaste after brushing.
  • It’s recommended that the parent place the toothpaste on their child’s toothbrush until they reach six years of age.
  • Parents should monitor and assist their child while brushing until they reach seven or eight years old.

Importance of Fluoride
Fluoride is an essential mineral for preventing tooth decay, as it works to harden the enamel of the teeth. Fluoride is often found in tap water, rarely ever bottled, so it’s a good idea to give your child tap water when they begin eating solid foods. If you feel that your child is not consuming enough fluoride, talk to your pediatric dentist about fluoride supplements.

Pediatric Dentistry
Related Articles

  • Published On: September 29, 2024Categories: Pediatric Dentistry

    Pediatric dentistry is the study, practice, teaching, and research of oral care treatments and preventions in children. It is recommended that children visit their pediatric dentist twice a year. Parents should schedule the first visit within six months of their child’s first baby tooth coming in, or by 12 months […]

  • Published On: September 29, 2024Categories: Pediatric Dentistry

    Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by the recurrence of interrupted breathing during sleep and results in a chronic lack of deep, restful sleep. When adults have this disorder, they are likely to experience daytime sleepiness, but when it occurs in children, they are more likely to have behavioral issues. […]

  • Published On: September 29, 2024Categories: Pediatric Dentistry

    Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral essential for proper tooth development.

    Benefits of fluoride:

    • Strengthens tooth enamel, by capturing minerals in saliva and forcing them into the tooth’s makeup
    • Inhibits bacterial metabolism, slowing down the growth of bacteria and their reducing their acidic byproduct, which can weaken tooth enamel
    • Inhibits tooth […]

Share This Article, Choose Your Platform!

Your child’s first tooth is a big developmental milestone, so it’s important for you to know what to expect and how to maintain your child’s teeth when they start coming in. It’s just as vital to take care of baby teeth as it is permanent teeth, even though the baby teeth eventually fall out. Improper dental hygiene can set your child up for oral complications early on, as well as poor dental hygiene habits down the road, including more severe oral issues. Be sure to look for the signs that their baby teeth are coming in and take the proper steps to keeping them healthy.

Eruption of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth typically erupt in the lower front teeth region, with most children obtaining all their baby teeth by three years old. For some children, this timeline varies. Some may not experience their first erupted baby tooth until their first birthday.

Teething
Teething is an indicator that your child’s baby teeth are coming in, and is usually accompanied by slight discomfort, excessive drooling, and swollen or tender gums. Some tips to remember when teething begins include:

(Click for LARGER IMAGE)

  • Massage your child’s gums with a clean finger to ease some discomfort.
  • Offer a solid, not liquid-filled, teething ring (can be frozen).
  • Offer a clean, frozen, or wet washcloth.
  • Offer a teething biscuit, but be sure to monitor your child while they eat it.
  • If discomfort persists, talk to your child’s pediatrician about a safe dose of liquid acetaminophen.
  • Avoid teething tablets that contain belladonna and benzocaine gel, as these substances can be potentially toxic to your child.
  • Never use a teething necklace, as your child will be at risk for strangulation or choking.

Proper Oral Hygiene
Once your child’s first tooth comes in, you will need to begin an oral hygiene routine with them. The process slightly changes as they grow, so some helpful tips include:

  • Brushing twice a day with a grain-of-rice-sized dollop of fluoride toothpaste, especially after consuming foods or beverages.
  • Refrain from letting your child go to bed with a bottle since this can lead to tooth decay.
  • When your child turns three years old, you may increase fluoride toothpaste to a pea-sized amount when brushing.
  • When your child is at the developmental stage where they can spit, teach them to spit out the excess toothpaste after brushing.
  • It’s recommended that the parent place the toothpaste on their child’s toothbrush until they reach six years of age.
  • Parents should monitor and assist their child while brushing until they reach seven or eight years old.

Importance of Fluoride
Fluoride is an essential mineral for preventing tooth decay, as it works to harden the enamel of the teeth. Fluoride is often found in tap water, rarely ever bottled, so it’s a good idea to give your child tap water when they begin eating solid foods. If you feel that your child is not consuming enough fluoride, talk to your pediatric dentist about fluoride supplements.

Pediatric Dentistry
Related Articles

Share This Article, Choose Your Platform!