Access Dental: Oral Care for Babies

Friday, November 9, 2018

Quick Tips for Infant Oral Care

As a new parent, oral care may be the last thing on your mind. Our dentist near Springfield, MO knows this is a busy time for you and your little but oral care is important for your baby. Even before your child has teeth, you can start a good oral care routine. Placing an importance on cleaning teeth can help promote healthy oral care from the start. Take a look below to learn some quick (because we know you're busy) tips for your child's oral care!

Start Them Young

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!

Care for Teeth from the Start

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.

Quick Teething Tips

A child who has teeth emerging through the gum surface may be fussier than normal, due to the pain (hang in there parents, this too shall pass). Having a teething toy or teething ring handy can help alleviate this pain for your child. Freezing a wet washrag is another great teething solution if you don't have a teething toy on hand. 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.

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. Contact our southern Missouri dentist to schedule your child's first appointment today. Here at Access Dental And Dentures, we LOVE kids. Sometimes a dentist gets a bag sigma, but we're here to prove to you and your child that it isn't the case when you visit us! Give us a call at 877-DENTIST to get your child's appointment on the books! We look forward to seeing you and your little one soon!

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

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Google+

Springfield Office Rolla Office Osage Beach Office Mountain Grove Office
(417) 501-1048 (573) 426-5447 (573) 348-1466 (417) 926-1160
1701 West Sunshine 416 S. Bishop Ave. 4320 Osage Beach Pkwy 921 N. Main St.

Springfield, MO 65807 Rolla, MO 65401 Osage Beach, MO. 65065 Mountain Grove

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Infant Dental Care Tips

There are a TON of things to worry about as a new parent. Dental hygiene may not be at the top of your things to think about. That's why Access Dental & Dentures is focusing on dental care for babies in this week's blog. If you are expecting or have a little one at home already, it's important to think about dental care. Take a look below for some quick tips on how to properly care for child's pearly whites (even if they aren't in yet).

Start Early

Before your child's teeth start coming in, try to keep their gums clean on a regular basis. At least once a day, take a warm washcloth or "baby" toothbrush and wipe their gums off. This can help get them used to brushing from the start AND clean off gums from any milk residue that may be present.

Brush Right Away

As soon as your child starts getting teeth, incorporate brushing into your daily routine. This can help them get used to brushing and taking care of their teeth. There are a number of child toothbrushes on the market. Find the right fit and feel for your little one's teeth.

Know the Causes of Cavities

Not brushing or wiping food residue off teeth is a main cause of cavities in little ones. That's why it's so important to incorporate brushing into their daily routine from a young age. Also, letting your child sleep in their crib with a bottle can lead to cavities. It's best to feed your child, then brush their teeth before they go to sleep.

Incorporate Toothpaste Into Their Routine

After the age of two (or when your dentist recommends), you can start adding toothpaste to the toothbrush. Before this age, your little one may swallow the toothpaste as a reaction. There are specific kinds of toothpaste for little kids and may be worth investing in (in case they do swallow some).

Schedule an Exam

Now that you know how to properly care for your little one's baby teeth, you're ready to start implementing oral care into your routine. Don't forget to have your baby visit the dentist within six months of their first tooth growing in. This can help get your little one used to being in the dental office (and having a hygienist look around their mouth). It can also ensure your babies' teeth are coming in as they should. If you need to make an appointment for your infant, contact our southern Missouri dentist at 877-DENTIST. We look forward to making your child's first dental experience a positive one!

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

Springfield, MO 65807 Rolla, MO 65401 Osage Beach, MO. 65065 Mountain Grove