Being a parent is a great and fulfilling job. But it does come with its own unique set of challenges as well – especially for new parents.
Your baby will always surprise you with something new and it’s important to be prepared so that you can handle the situation accordingly. One milestone that all parents will go through is dealing with baby teeth.
Usually, your baby’s first tooth will erupt around the fourth or sixth month of their life. However, some babies may get their first tooth as soon as two months.
At Heroes Dental we want you to be the hero for your baby’s teeth. Keep your baby always smiling, even while teething, with the following tips!
What Mom and Dad Need to Know About Baby Teeth
1. Clean Their Mouths
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises parents to begin cleaning their baby’s mouth as soon as possible. A soft infant toothbrush or a soft cloth soaked in cool purified water can be used to clean the baby’s gums after nursing. This should be done daily and after every meal.
Cleaning your baby’s gums will help them to avoid baby bottle tooth decay. It is one of the most common illnesses that infants and babies can suffer from. This occurs when babies drink milk or other sugary drinks and their mouths are not cleaned afterward.
You can also avoid baby bottle tooth decay by giving your baby a bottle of water after they’ve had milk.
2. Careful with the Bedtime Bottle
Many parents use a bedtime bottle to help their baby fall asleep and keep them calm. Unfortunately, this allows the sugar from the milk to remain on their gums and teeth for an extended amount of time, which can lead to baby bottle tooth decay.
The best way to prevent it is to not send your child to bed with a bottle. On the other hand, if your child really needs a bedtime bottle to fall asleep, then fill it with purified water so their teeth and gums won’t be exposed to sugar at all.
3. When Teething Begins
The previous points should be followed from the moment you bring your baby home. However, there are extra steps that you can take once your baby starts showing their first teeth.
As your baby’s teeth start appearing you’ll notice they come in pairs. Commonly, the first to erupt are middle lower ones, followed by the middle top ones. Before you realize it, at age three your toddler will have 20 teeth in their mouth.
Some signs to watch for that their baby teeth are coming in include:
So what can you do to help your baby through this stage?
4. Give Them Something to Chew
Your baby will want to chew on something to find relief for their tender and swollen gums. Consider giving your baby a rubber baby toy with some texture on it.
A cold damp washcloth is also an excellent idea as it will help minimize pain. Baby popsicles can be a delicious and healthy option to bring your baby’s smile back as well.
5. Care for the First Teeth
Once you are able to see your baby’s first teeth coming out of the gum, it’s important to keep them clean! You can do this by using an infant toothbrush. Just be sure to buy the right toothbrush for the most effective and healthy cleaning.
When you go looking for your child’s first toothbrush, look for one with rounded bristles and that’s small enough fit into their mouth comfortably. The brush’s bristles should also be soft and it must have no rubber liners outside of the head.
Flossing is also recommended once your baby has two teeth touching. Use a flat and wide floss to avoid any cuts and use just very slight and gentle pressure to clean every side of their teeth.
6. Don’t Put Off Seeing a Pediatric Dentist
We know how busy the life of a parent can be. However, do not procrastinate when it comes to your baby’s first dentist visit. It is very important you start your child on the right foot when it comes to their oral health to avoid any future issues and protect their beautiful smile.
Contact the pediatric dentists at Heroes Dental to schedule your baby’s first appointment.
A beautiful smile can mean so much to your baby’s health. At Heroes Dental we are dedicated to making your child’s smile gorgeous. Make an appointment today at any of our south Texas locations to get your baby started on the path to a brilliant smile.