Saturday, July 7, 2012

Pediatric Dentistry: Caring for Baby's Teeth

Many people like to think that baby teeth don’t require any attention since they’re going to fall out anyway. The fact of the matter is that a child’s initial set of teeth are just as important as their permanent set. Primary teeth save spaces for permanent teeth to grow into, as well as helping kids to speak and chew properly.

It is recommended that a dental professional inspect a newly grown tooth within six months of its arrival and before the first birthday. A visit to the dentist this early can show you whether or not your child’s teeth are being cleaned properly and how to deal with any portentially harmful activities such as thumbsucking.

Teething

When primary teeth first come in, gums can become tender and sore. Gently massaging your baby’s gums with a small spoon, wet gauze, or even a clean finger can be relieving. If still in pain, your child can be brought in to see a dentist. By the age of three, many children have a complete set of 20 primary teeth.

Keeping baby teeth healthy

The process of cleaning a baby’s mouth should begin a few days after birth. Wipe the gums with a sterile gauze pad after every meal. This gets rid of plaque which can harm erupting teeth.

Tooth decay becomes a possibility as soon as that first tooth emerges, so it is crucial that they are brushed gently with water. By the age of two, children’s teeth can be brushed with a pea-sized quantity of fluoride toothpaste. Make sure they spit the toothpaste out and rinse their mouths with water. If you are deliberating the use of toothpaste before the two year mark, ask your dentist about it first.

Infants need to finish their baby bottle before going to sleep. Pacifiers need to be clean before use; never give a child one that has been dipped in sugar or honey.

All of these tips are important and should be followed at home but, they still cannot replace a trip to the dentist’s office as that can give you a chance to catch any little issues before they progress to real problems for your child’s dental health.