10 Mar When does your child or infant need to see a dentist?
This is a common question among new mothers lately so we decided to discuss it!
So here’s the answer to “When does your child or infant need to see a dentist?”
Newborns first appointment
Most dentists recommend bringing your baby to the dentist around 6 months after they get their first tooth. Usually, babies get their first tooth or teeth around 6 months of age. This visit is usually very simple. The dentist will look around and talk to the little one to get them comfortable for future visits.
Every 6 months following
Most dentists will recommend try to keep up on a 6 month check up schedule. This isn’t going to be a cleaning or x-rays until much later. The dentist just wants to make sure babies hygiene is being kept up at home.
In between care at home
Babies teeth should be brushed 2x a day. Morning and night.
*When my little one started teething, I gave him a soft child toothbrush to chew on. When he was in his stroller around town or just at home, he had the toothbrush in his mouth. This helped toughen his gums as well as get some relief from those baby teeth sprouting up. Since my son had been familiar with the toothbrush from an early age, he never fought me on brushing when he got a little older. I didn’t use tooth paste on the brush, just a plain old brush. I still brushed his teeth morning and evening just to touch up on anything he hadn’t got during the day.
X-rays
If your child is complaining of a tooth ache, the dentist will recommend an x-ray. If this occurs in-between 6 month check ups, you need to call and get your child in sooner on an emergency basis. As the child gets older, your dentist will start to recommend yearly check up x-rays.
Giving your baby a bottle to sleep
Most dentists recommended by the time your baby is eating solids, they need to be put to bed with water instead of milk or formula. Babies usually fall asleep with the bottle nipple still in their mouth, allowing any remaining fluid to drip onto the teeth and sit for long periods of time. This will result in cavities and eventually bottle rot. When your baby is to small for water, it’s recommended to wipe your babies gum or teeth down with a cloth to remove any remaining cavity causing bacteria.
It’s important to take care of your child’s baby tooth the same as you would an adult tooth. Baby teeth don’t even start to fall out until age 6 or 7! that’s 5-6 years at least, where your child is eating on those teeth before they even start falling out. The baby teeth will continue to fall out over the years and your child will need them to eat until the adult teeth come in. Another issue that may occur with bad oral hygiene is cavities that lead to an infection. Babies and children can get an abscess the same as an adult can. This can be harming to your child’s overall health, not just their teeth.
Getting them familiar with the dental chair at an early age makes it a fun visit, not something to fear! Help preserve your babies smile!