Dental Care For Your Baby

When should my baby first see a dentist? Drs. Sarah and Kristen say, “first visit by first birthday!” Your child should visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between six and twelve months of age. Early examinations and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.

The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly and smile with confidence. Starting your child with good dental habits at an early age ensure a lifetime of strong and healthy teeth.

When your child’s teeth start erupting, Dr. Sarah and Dr. Kristen suggest a clean teething ring or a cold wet washcloth to chew on. Every time you give your child a bath take a clean wet washcloth and wipe the gum pads where the teeth will later form. This will help get your child accustomed to having you clean his mouth, as well as providing a cleaner environment for the new teeth to erupt.

Do not use toothpaste until your child is 3 years old. After this time, a small amount of toothpaste (a pea-sized drop) may be applied to the toothbrush once a day.

Breastfeeding is fine, but remember to wipe off the teeth after the child is finished feeding. If you are bottle-feeding, never, never, never put your child to bed, daytime nap, or regular night time sleep, with a bottle that has anything other than water.