Tips to Care for Baby Teeth

If you have a baby on the way or a little one already here, you may be wondering about oral care for your infant. While there are likely no teeth present in your child's mouth, it's not too early to start an oral care routine. The best dentist near Springfield, MO is here to help guide you through proper oral care for your little one. Take a look below for some tips to care for your baby's teeth.

Get Started Early

Even before your child's teeth come in, it's important to clean his or her mouth. Wipe off the gums with a warm washcloth or gauze after each feeding. There are also small soft rubbery devices that fit over the parent's finger to help cleanse your baby's gums. It's never too early to get started cleaning your child's gums and teeth!

Ideas to Soothe When Teething

A child who has teeth emerging through the gum surface may be fussier than normal, due to the pain. Having a teething toy or teething ring handy can help alleviate this pain for your child. There are also numbing ointments available for teething children. It's best to help your child reach a comfortable level when his or her teeth are popping through the surface.

Start Caring For Teeth as they Emerge

After your child's teeth come in, start taking care of them with an oral care routine right away. Many times parents think baby teeth aren't important because they will just fall out... but it's a great way to start promoting proper oral care at a young age and help to prevent gingivitis. These teeth actually are important because improve spacing for the permanent teeth to come through.

Ways to Avoid Cavities

Cavities can form on baby teeth early on, especially if they are not properly cared for. Discoloration and minor pitting are warning signs that your child may have a cavity. Overly sugar filled foods like fruit and juice can lead to cavities in your young child. It's also important to avoid leaving an infant with a bottle for long periods of time.

Add Toothpaste into the Routine

After the baby teeth have started growing in, it's time to brush with toothpaste twice a day. A small amount of fluoride toothpaste can be placed on a brush and scrubbed across your child's tooth surface. Remember to hit each side of every tooth, when brushing. This can help keep all of your child's teeth clean.

Visit Access Dental & Dentures

Your child should visit a dentist within the first year of life. The American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend a baby get his or her first dental exam within six months of the first tooth emerging. This is a great opportunity for your child to get used to the dentist and helps promote proper oral care, even at a young age.

Now that you've seen these tips, you're ready to put them to work. From starting early to noticing changes in your child's mouth - it's important to be on top of oral care for your infant. Your trusted dentist in southern Missouri is here for all of your dental needs, no matter what your age. We look forward to helping your entire family reach optimum dental care!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

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