Some parents may be confused about the need to care for their infant’s primary teeth when permanent ones in a matter of months replace them. However, starting with the first tooth, your youngster will benefit greatly from regular dental checkups and cleanings.
Teeth that are lost due to decay do not provide room for permanent teeth, which can lead to crowding and misalignment if the permanent teeth try to come in at an awkward angle. Decayed teeth hinder proper speech development and prevent proper nutrients from being consumed because of biting problems. Baby teeth are only temporary; therefore, it’s important to take care of them now so they’ll last a lifetime. How to properly care for your baby’s first teeth is discussed.
Infants should not be bottle-fed before bed.
Your infant may sleep with the bottle still in their mouth if you put them to bed with it. Plaque can form around temporary teeth if left in a bottle with milk or other liquids for an extended period. “Baby bottle decay,” or tooth decay caused by a baby’s habit of sleeping with a bottle, is real. Ensure your youngster doesn’t go to bed with their bottle to avoid infant bottle degradation. Children who exhibit signs of tooth decay, such as brown or black patches on the tooth, should visit a pediatric dentist in New Bern, NC, as soon as possible.
Remember to brush your baby’s teeth and gums
Your baby’s gums and mouth must be healthy long before any teeth appear. Do this by cleaning their gums with damp gauze or a warm, damp towel wrapped around their finger after each meal. At around six months, you should wipe your baby’s teeth with a warm, moist towel or a soft-bristled brush and water. Plaque, which can lead to cavities, can be avoided by keeping the gums and teeth clean. You can use a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste until your child turns 18 months old.
How to Prepare for Your First Visit to the Dentist
Tooth decay can become a concern even when the teeth are still little or erupting. Thus, regular dental checkups are essential for preventing future dental issues. The average age at which children first visit the dentist is over two. You should schedule his or her first dental appointment no later than six months after your child’s first tooth erupts or no later than his or her first birthday.