Infant Dental Hygiene

August 16, 2010
Category: Dental
Tags: Pediatric   Oral Hygiene   Infant  

Infant Dental HygieneWhen a baby is born, teeth are usually not visible; however, that doesn't mean that they aren't there. At birth, your baby's 20 primary teeth are developing in the jawbone, The first tooth generally breaks through the gum tissue between the fifth and eighth month of age. The teeth are another area of growth and development that parents need to be educated about in order to give their baby proper dental care. From your little one's first appointment through all of the phases of children's dentistry, Grove's pediatric specialists will be here to help with every stage of growth and development.

Dental Hygiene for Babies

Dental hygiene should start as soon as your baby is born in order to promote strong teeth and gums. Gently wipe your baby's gums each day with a clean, damp cloth, especially after feedings. Once the first tooth appears, use a small soft toothbrush to remove plaque. As your child gets older, a small amount of toothpaste with fluoride should be used daily for brushing to keep the enamel strong and resistant to cavities.

Feeding Habits that Lead to Dental Decay

A baby's teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth. Parents should establish good nursing and feeding habits in order to prevent plaque from developing on their little one's teeth. One condition, baby bottle tooth decay, can destroy an infant's primary teeth and it affects both breast and bottle fed infants. In order to keep acids from attacking your baby's teeth, avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice- instead give them water. Also, avoid breast feeding for long periods of time and never dip your baby's pacifier in a sweet liquid.

As you begin introducing different foods into your child's diet, be cautious of foods high in sugars and avoid sticky, slowly-disolving foods like candy, cake, cookies and soda pop. Avoid snacking between meals to reduce the risk of plaque-build up and decay.

Your Baby's First Trip to the Dentist

At Grove, we suggest that you plan your child's first dental visit around the child's first birthday. During this initial visit, the Pediatric Dentist will answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding teething, brushing techniques, thumb sucking, healthy eating, etc.

Just as your child sees a pediatrician for medical care, it's equally as important that your child see a pediatric dental specialist to care for all of your child's oral health needs. At Grove Dental, our Pediatric Specialists and staff are dedicated to children's dentistry.

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Dentist - Downers Grove, Grove Dental Associates, 6800 Main Street, Third Floor, Downers Grove IL, 60516 (630) 969-5350