Oral Health For Infants and Toddlers: Answering Common Questions
When you have a new baby or a toddler, life changes so rapidly. Every new day brings new changes, new developments and new challenges. As dentists for The Woodlands and Spring communities, our goal is to help you face some of those new changes and developments in your child - and in your family - with confidence.
So let’s talk about some of the most common questions regarding oral health for infants and toddlers. Here are answers to 5 common questions parents often ask about first teeth, your baby’s first dental visit and oral hygiene for toddlers.
When should my baby visit the dentist for the first time?
According to the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, infants should visit the dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth or by age one (source). Why so early? Early preventative dental care for children helps establish a solid foundation for a lifetime of oral health. These early dental visits go a long way in ensuring your child will enjoy a lifetime of oral health and well-being, including:
Evaluating your child for early childhood caries (baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries)
Preventing future dental problems by early detection
Encouraging comfort and confidence for your child during dental visits
Learning oral hygiene techniques and getting the resources and support you need in providing the best healthcare for your child
When should my baby’s first tooth come in?
The first baby teeth typically start pushing through the gums when your child is between 4 and 7 months of age. Every child is different, so keep in mind that this range is simply an estimate. Baby teeth begin to form in utero, and usually the first teeth to “erupt” are the lower central incisors (the bottom two front teeth).
When “teething” begins, your baby may experience some discomfort, excessive drooling or have swollen, tender gums. There’s no need to worry though. Parents can help ease teething pain by gently massaging baby’s gums with clean fingers, giving a solid teething ring or cooling the gums with a clean frozen or wet washcloth.
Remember that this is the time to book your baby’s first dental appointment! At your dental visit, our dentists will examine your baby’s oral health and answer any additional questions you may have.
When should I start brushing my child’s teeth?
If your child has teeth (even if it’s just one!), you should gently brush their tooth or teeth twice a day. Use a baby toothbrush (or a toothbrush designed specifically for their age) with just a smear of toothpaste. Brush in the morning and then again AFTER the last drink or meal of the day. As your baby grows into a toddler and more teeth erupt, you can begin using up to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. But don’t use more than that until your child can properly rinse and spit after brushing.
What should I do if my baby or toddler gets a baby tooth knocked out?
Don’t panic. Losing baby teeth due to injury is more common than you may realize.
The first thing to do is stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the site with a washcloth and then find the tooth to ensure there is no risk of choking. At this point, you should call your child’s dentist right away (which is another good reason to be sure your child has a regular dentist). What your dentist recommends will vary depending on your child’s age and the extent of the injury, but seeing your child’s dentist as soon as possible is always the best approach.
Do I really need to worry about cavities in baby teeth?
Yes and no. We never encourage parents to “worry” about their child. But cavities in baby teeth should be a concern and should absolutely be treated, even though the baby teeth are temporary. Tooth decay in baby teeth can be painful for your child and can deteriorate into a dangerous infection if left untreated. Also, tooth decay in baby teeth can have an impact on permanent teeth as well as increase the likelihood of developing cavities later in life.
If you have any other questions about oral and dental health for your baby or toddler, please call our office. Starting your child on a path to a lifetime of oral health begins at a young age. Our dentists at WoodSprings Dentistry, especially Dr. Samantha (read her story here), strive to provide the best dental care for our littlest patients and love to see their confident, healthy smiles afterward!