Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100
A recent article published by CBS News pointed out the importance of taking care of your baby’s teeth! Senior Lifestyle Editor for American Baby, Jessica Hartshorn, tells you how to keep your baby’s teeth in good shape!
“Since your baby’s first set of teeth are not permanent, some parents don’t realize the importance of keeping them healthy,” said Jessica. “It’s important to take care of primary teeth until they are naturally lose and put under the pillow for the tooth fairy,” (CBSNEws). Although you can’t see them at birth, an infant has 20 primary teeth under their gums. As your child gets older, these primary teeth make room for 32 permanent teeth.
It’s important to pay attention to your baby’s mouth, even before the first tooth breaks through the gums. “The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that you gently brush your baby’s gums after each feeding. You can use water on a soft-bristled baby toothbrush or wipe them with a clean washcloth. This puts good dental habits in practice from the very start,” says Jessica (CBSNews).
At about 6 months, you should start to see your baby’s first tooth. When the first new teeth appear, it’s important to clean them at least once a day! “You can wipe the teeth with a piece of gauze, damp cloth or baby toothbrush. Use a small dab of fluoridated toothpaste until your baby is old enough to spit on her own, which is usually around age two or three. When your baby grows two teeth that touch, it’s time to get out the floss to prevent cavities,” (CBSNews).
As we’ve blogged about before, the most common cause of tooth decay is putting your child to bed with a bottle. “It’s not the baby bottle that’s the problem. It’s the formula, milk or juice that’s in it. When these liquids are on baby’s gums and teeth during sleep, it can cause tooth decay. That bottle could also put your baby at risk for an ear infection and choking, so it’s a good idea to keep it out of the crib,” (CBSNews).
Keep your baby’s teeth healthy from day one! For more information on children’s oral health, visit PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com.
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