Properly caring for your children’s teeth will help them last a lifetime. An important part of caring for their teeth is making sure that they have regular dental appointments for checkups and cleanings. Good dental hygiene practices begin early, even before your baby’s first teeth erupt.
Caring for Baby’s Teeth
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child’s visit to a dentist in Katy take place by the time he or she is a year old or within six months of his or her first tooth eruption. However, good dental hygiene begins before the first tooth comes through. It is important to start taking care of his or her gums right away because plaque can develop at any age.
To take care of a baby’s gums, use a damp soft washcloth or piece of gauze to gently wipe the gums after feedings and before bedtime. This will wipe away any sugars on the gums that might be contained in the formula or milk that he or she has drank. Sticky plaque can develop from bacteria caused by decayed sugar on the gums, which can affect his or her teeth as they come in.
Visiting the Dentist
After your child’s teeth begin to erupt, you can schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist. Infants may not be nervous during their first examination but if you’ve waited until your child is two or three years old, he or she may have some anxiety about his or her dental visit. To help him or her get used to the idea of having his or her teeth examined, take your child when you visit the dentist so he or she can see what is usually done.
There are many preventive measures that can be taken to ensure your child’s teeth remain healthy. His or her teeth can be sealed to prevent cavities and he or she can be shown how to properly brush his or her teeth. For more information about pediatric dentistry, visit Texasgentledental.com.
