One of the most important things you can do for the health and well being of your child is to teach them good dental hygiene practices. Providing your child with excellent dental care can help protect their teeth for many years. Your baby has 20 primary teeth that are encased in his or her jaw at birth. These baby teeth typically begin to emerge from the gums at around six months of age. Your baby’s teeth keep space in the jaw for the adult teeth to develop and emerge.
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Did you know that your child’s baby teeth are at risk for decay almost as soon as they break through the gums? Tooth decay in infants is often known as baby bottle tooth decay. It normally occurs in the upper front teeth, but can affect other teeth as well. Surprisingly, some infants and toddlers may experience decay that is so severe that the teeth need to be removed by your dental professional.
Dental Caries AKA Tooth Decay Prevention
The great news is that tooth decay can be prevented. The knowledgeable dentists and dental professionals at Smile Reef are often asked this question by parents and caregivers: “What is the best way to care for my child’s new teeth?” The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends taking your child to the dentist within six months of the first tooth appearing, but no later than his or her first birthday.
Smile Reef offer some tips you can begin at home to ensure your child is receiving the best possible start to a life of healthy dental habits!
• You can start cleaning your baby’s mouth even before the teeth emerge. In fact you can begin a few days after birth by wiping the gums with a clean, moist pad or washcloth. As soon as your baby’s teeth begin to appear, it is possible for decay to occur. As a general rule, your baby’s four front teeth will push through the gums at approximately six months of age; however it is not uncommon for a baby to reach 12 to 14 months of age before the first four teeth emerge.
• For children aged three years or younger, begin brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they erupt through the gums, using toothpaste that contains fluoride in an amount that is about the size of a grain of rice. The experts at Smile Reef recommend brushing twice per day, morning and night unless we advise you of a specific plan for your child.
• For children that are aged between three to six years of age, use a pea sized amount of a fluoride based toothpaste and brush teeth twice per day morning and night as directed by your Smile Reef professional. Always supervise your child’s brushing and remind them not to swallow the toothpaste.
• Generally speaking, you should brush your child’s teeth twice daily until you are comfortable that your child can brush his or her teeth on their own. Teach your child to use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste that contains fluoride. As soon as your child has two teeth that touch, you should begin to floss the teeth on a daily basis.
Pediatric Dental Care Helping to Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay & Cavities in Baby Teeth in Las Vegas NV
For more information about caring for your infant or toddlers new teeth, contact the experts at Smile Reef today and set up a dental exam to begin the process of teaching your child healthy dental habits. A customized Smile Reef brushing and flossing regime will last a lifetime and ensure your child has a beautiful glowing smile he or she can be proud of!
